Taliban Ready to Have Relations With US, Welcomes Participation in Afghan Reconstruction

MOSCOW (Sputnik) - The Taliban* movement is ready to have relations with Washington that serve the interests of both Afghanistan and the United States, and will welcome possible US involvement in the reconstruction of the country, Taliban spokesman Suhail Shaheen told Sputnik on 7 September.

"Yes, of course, in a new chapter if America wants to have a relation with us, which could be in the interest of both countries and both peoples, and if they want to participate in the reconstruction of Afghanistan, they are welcome", Shaheen said.

The Taliban will not have any relations with Israel but wants to maintain a dialogue with all of its neighbours, the spokesman continued.

"Of course, we won't have any relation with Israel. We want to have relations with other countries, Israel is not among these countries … We would like to have relations with all the regional countries and neighbouring countries as well as Asian countries", Shaheen added.

The Taliban took over the Afghan capital on 15 August and the US troop withdrawal was completed at the end of last month.

An Afghan street vendor and supporter of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan chants in support of the Taliban in Kabul, Afghanistan September 1, 2021.

© REUTERS / WANA NEWS AGENCY

On 30 August, the Pentagon announced the completion of the withdrawal of US troops from Afghanistan and the end of its 20-year mission. The airport in Kabul, from where the evacuation of foreigners and allies was carried out, came under the full control of the Taliban.

In the aftermath of the August takeover of Afghanistan, the international community is hesitant about establishing relations with the Taliban as the governing power in the country. Most Western countries do maintain communication with the radical group, particularly regarding evacuations.

*The Taliban is a terrorist organisation banned in Russia and man other nations.