A Taliban spokesperson for Afghanistan Zabihullah Mujahid called on the international community, after taking over Afghanistan's capital city Kabul, to recognize their rule over Afghanistan territories. In his first press conference televised live in Kabul, Mujahid said that the insurgents sought no revenge and that "everyone is forgiven". The statement quelled many Afghans' fears that the Taliban would embark on a journey of revenge. The spokesperson clearly announced that everyone is forgiven even if they worked with the former government or with foreign governments or forces. "We assure you that nobody will go to their doors to ask why they helped," he said. He also pledged on behalf of the Taliban to honor women's rights, but within the norms of Islamic law. The spokesman also said the Taliban wanted private media to remain independent, but stressed journalists should not work against national values. He ensured security to the properties and Afghan and foreign nationals by Taliban. He said we would like to ensure international countries including the United States that nobody would be harmed in our rule. He said that we would not allow our soil to be used against any country in the world. Meanwhile, Russia said it is currently not in any rush to recognize the Taliban (outlawed in Russia) rise to power in Afghanistan, Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said Tuesday. "We are not rushing a recognition through just like other countries," Tass Russian News Agency quoted Lavrov as saying. "Just yesterday I spoke with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi. Our positions are in line," Lavrov added. At the same time, the minister noted that Moscow takes notice of positive signals from the Taliban about Afghanistan's future. "We see reassuring messages from the Taliban who say they wish to have a government with other political forces and, also saying that they are willing to continue certain processes, including education," he said. Russia hopes that dialogue between the Taliban and the leaders of Afghanistan's political actors will result in the formation of inclusive transitional government bodies, Lavrov told reporters. — KUNA
