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Live Updates: State Department Says Washington Concerned About Some Members of New Afghan Gov't

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On 7 September, the Taliban* unveiled their caretaker government with Hasan Akhund, who has been under United Nations sanctions since 2001, at the helm. 08.09.2021, Sputnik International

2021-09-08T04:23+0000

2021-09-08T04:24+0000

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The flag of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan (Taliban) is raised at the military airfield in Kabul, Afghanistan, September 5, 2021. - Sputnik International

Live Updates: State Department Says Washington Concerned About Some Members of New Afghan Gov't

04:23 GMT 08.09.2021 (Updated: 04:24 GMT 08.09.2021)

On 7 September, the Taliban* unveiled their caretaker government with Hasan Akhund, who has been under United Nations sanctions since 2001, at the helm.

Following the Taliban's announcement of their caretaker government, a US State Department spokesperson said in a statement that Washington is concerned about the track records and affiliations of some of the people named by the Taliban to assume top positions in Afghanistan's newly created government.

According to the 7 September announcement by the Taliabn, Mullah Mohammad Hasan Akhund, will become the prime minister in the new government. He served as deputy prime minister in the Taliban government in Afghanistan prior to the US invasion.

Meanwhile, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken is expected to testify before the House Foreign Affairs Committee next week about the American withdrawal from Afghanistan.

Follow Sputnik's live feed to find out more!

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

Table of contents

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00:45 GMT 09.09.2021

Afghan Gov't Will include Women in the Future, Taliban Spokesman Says

Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid speaks during a news conference in Kabul, Afghanistan September 6, 2021. REUTERS/Stringer - Sputnik International, 1920, 09.09.2021

Taliban Promise to Find Government Seats for Women in Future

9 September 2021, 00:43 GMT

19:19 GMT 08.09.2021

Tajikistan to Back Only Inclusive Afghan Government With Tajik Representation

DUSHANBE (Sputnik) - Tajik Foreign Minister Sirojiddin Muhriddin that Dushanbe will only support an inclusive government in Afghanistan, where seats for Tajik civil servants will be reserved, the country's foreign ministry said on Wednesday.

The remarks were made at a virtual meeting devoted to Afghanistan with over 20 foreign ministers, the UN, the EU, and NATO involved.

"The Foreign Minister stressed that Tajikistan will support only an inclusive government with the participation of all ethnic groups, in which the Tajiks of Afghanistan will take their deserve seats," the foreign ministry said in a statement.

The foreign minister also expressed concern over the violence against ethnic Tajiks in the Panjshir valley and called on the international community to pressure the Taliban (banned in Russia) to reach a political settlement with resistance groups, the statement added.

18:34 GMT 08.09.2021

Taliban Reportedly Claims Afghan Protests Receive Foreign Funding

A member of the Taliban forces points his gun at protesters, as Afghan demonstrators shout slogans during an anti-Pakistan protest, near the Pakistan embassy in Kabul, Afghanistan September 7, 2021 - Sputnik International, 1920, 08.09.2021

Afghanistan

Taliban Reportedly Claims Afghan Protests Receive Foreign Funding

8 September 2021, 18:33 GMT

16:48 GMT 08.09.2021

Afghanistan Will Not Be Stable Without International Support - German Foreign Minister

BERLIN, September 8 (Sputnik) - Afghanistan will not be stable without international support, the Taliban radical movement (banned in Russia as a terrorist group) must understand that isolation is not in their interests, German Foreign Minister Heiko Maas said.

"The discussions we had with colleagues showed how much concern there is about the further development of the events, and not only here in Germany. We are facing a grave humanitarian crisis, which we must avoid. Therefore, we must promptly provide humanitarian assistance to people, primarily through the UN. This is not only a moral obligation but also a question of regional stability", he said.

16:22 GMT 08.09.2021

Blinken Says US Assessing Taliban Announcement of New Government

WASHINGTON, DC - JULY 13: U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken delivers remarks at the National Security Commission on Artificial Intelligence Global Emerging Technology Summit on July 13, 2021 in Washington, DC. - Sputnik International, 1920, 08.09.2021

Afghanistan

Blinken Says US Assessing Taliban Announcement of New Government

8 September 2021, 16:15 GMT

15:25 GMT 08.09.2021

Inauguration of Afghanistan's New Government Scheduled for 11 September, Taliban Source Suggests

Afghanistan

Inauguration of Afghanistan's New Government Scheduled for 11 September, Taliban Source Suggests

8 September 2021, 15:24 GMT

13:54 GMT 08.09.2021

Taliban Ask US to Release $10Bln of Afghanistan's Frozen Funds, Reports Suggest

MOSCOW (Sputnik) - The newly-appointed Taliban (banned in Russia) caretaker government has asked the United States to release about $10 billion of Afghanistan's frozen funds in US banks, Shamshad News reported on 8 September, citing acting minister of refugees, Khalil Ur-Rahman Haqqani.

The radical movement has also urged Washington to release billions of dollars in international aid allocated for Afghanistan's post-conflict recovery, as well as called on the international community, with the United Nations at the helm, to remove the names of Taliban leaders from blacklists, according to the report.

Washington froze the assets of the Afghan government, as well as its gold reserves, in US banks last month.

13:41 GMT 08.09.2021

Afghan Women Rally in Kunduz to Show Support for Taliban's Interim Government - Video

Women in burka - Sputnik International, 1920, 08.09.2021

Afghanistan

Afghan Women Rally in Kunduz to Show Support for Taliban's Interim Government - Video

8 September 2021, 13:41 GMT

13:18 GMT 08.09.2021

Former Afghan President Ghani Apologises to People of Afghanistan, Regrets 'How it Ended'

Afghanistan

'Most Difficult Decision': Ghani Apologises to Afghan People Over Leaving Kabul

8 September 2021, 13:19 GMT

13:16 GMT 08.09.2021

China to Provide Afghanistan With Humanitarian Aid Worth $30.9 - Foreign Minister

BEIJING (Sputnik) - China made a decision to urgently provide food, winter clothes, vaccines and medicines worth 200 million yuan ($30.9 million) to Afghanistan, Foreign Minister Wang Yi said on 8 September.

"In line with the needs of the Afghan people, China has decided to urgently provide food, winter goods, vaccines and medicines for a total of 200 million yuan," Wang said, as quoted by the Foreign Ministry in a statement.

12:50 GMT 08.09.2021

US, Allies Obligated to Provide Economic, Humanitarian Assistance to Kabul, Beijing Says

BEIJING (Sputnik) - The United States and its allies are more than anyone else obligated to provide Afghanistan with economic and humanitarian assistance, as their responsibilities did not just end following the withdrawal from the country, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi said on 8 September.

"We should objectively assess the history of the Afghan problem and demand that the US and its allies learn a lesson and assume proper responsibility. The US and its allies were the instigators of the Afghan problem," Wang said at a videoconference of foreign ministers of countries neighboring Afghanistan, as quoted by the Chinese Foreign Ministry.

Over the 20 years of the US military presence in Afghanistan, terrorist forces only strengthened there, while the poverty problem was not solved, the foreign minister added,

"The international community believes that the end of the military invasion by the US and its allies should be the beginning of their true responsibility. More than any other country, they must provide economical and humanitarian assistance to the Afghan people," Wang emphasized.

12:29 GMT 08.09.2021

Switzerland Approves Over $35Mln in Aid to Afghanistan - Federal Council

MOSCOW (Sputnik) - Switzerland's Federal Council on Wednesday approved the allocation of 33 million Swiss francs ($35.8 million) to help Afghanistan.

"At today's meeting, the Federal Council decided to increase its aid in Afghanistan and in the surrounding countries. To this end, it approved an additional contribution of CHF 33 million to bolster humanitarian aid on the ground," the council said in a statement on its website.

The statement mentions that 10 million Swiss francs will be contributed by the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (FDFA) and the remainder will be set down in the form of supplementary credit. Over the following 16 months, the Swiss aid to Afghanistan in cooperation with the surrounding countries will total 60 million.

According to the council, this is Switzerland's response to "the precarious circumstances in Afghanistan" which is struggling with "the threat of economic collapse, the ongoing drought, and famine."

Switzerland has been aiding Afghanistan on the ground since 2002. The country's current support amounts to CHF 27 million annually of which CHF 9 million is for humanitarian aid and CHF 18 million for development cooperation.

11:13 GMT 08.09.2021

Afghan Ambassador to Tajikistan Calls Taliban Gov’t Illegitimate

DUSHANBE (Sputnik) - Afghan Ambassador to Tajikistan Muhammad Zohir Agbar on 8 September said that the new government announced by the Taliban (banned in Russia) is illegitimate and called on the international community to not recognise it.

"I will not cooperate with the Taliban until they respect human rights and create an inclusive government," the diplomat told reporters, adding that he will represent Afghan ex-Vice President Amrullah Saleh, who declared himself caretaker president, in Dushanbe.

10:12 GMT 08.09.2021

CSTO Representatives Discussed Developments in Afghanistan at Meeting in Moscow - Ministry

MOSCOW (Sputnik) - Representatives of the Collective Security Treaty Organisation (CSTO) member states convened in Moscow on Tuesday to discuss developments in Afghanistan, the Russian Foreign Ministry said.

The CSTO consultations focused on the agenda of the 76th UN General Assembly and the organisation's priorities at this upcoming event, according to the ministry.

"A special focus was made on the developments in Afghanistan," the Russian Foreign Ministry said in a statement, adding that participants on the consultations also touched upon the prospects of CSTO's participation in UN peacekeeping activities.

09:53 GMT 08.09.2021

Moscow Not Planning to Hold Talks With New Afghan Authorities - Kremlin

MOSCOW (Sputnik) - Moscow so far is not planning to hold any negotiations with new Afghan authorities and will monitor all steps made by the government in Kabul, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said on 8 September.

"Contacts through our embassy are carried out in Kabul. These are contacts that are necessary to ensure the safety of our diplomats, on other technical issues. No other negotiations are planned yet," Peskov told reporters.

09:48 GMT 08.09.2021

Potential Threats Emanating From Afghanistan Include Terrorism, Drug Trafficking, Kremlin Says

MOSCOW (Sputnik) -The Kremlin believes that potential threats for Russia emanating from Afghanistan are terrorism and drug trafficking, spokesman Dmitry Peskov said on 8 September.

"A threat can potentially come from Afghanistan, we have talked about this many times: this is drug trafficking and the infiltration of terrorist groups there," Peskov told reporters.

09:21 GMT 08.09.2021

Pakistan Holds Second Consultation of Afghanistan's Neighbors

MOSCOW (Sputnik) - Pakistan will host a virtual meeting of foreign ministers of countries neighboring Afghanistan on 8 September to discuss latest developments and prospects for the region, the Pakistani foreign ministry said.

Pakistan first convened envoys of Afghanistan's six neighbors for virtual consultations on 5 September.

"Foreign Minister Makhdoom Shah Mahmood Qureshi will chair the meeting, to be attended by China, Iran, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan," the ministry said in a statement, adding that the meeting "will provide an opportunity to neighbors of Afghanistan to work together for shared objective of a peaceful and stable Afghanistan, which is essential to forge strong economic linkages and realize connectivity agenda."

Islamabad said that Afghanistan's neighbors "have a vital stake in the stability of the country," while the normalisation of the situation in Afghanistan is an important factor in regional trade, transit and security.

Afghanistan fell to the Taliban (a terrorist organisation banned in Russia) on 15 August. On Tuesday night, the radical movement unveiled the composition of an interim government which, contrary to international calls and expectations, is not inclusive of non-Taliban members and women.

08:23 GMT 08.09.2021

Lukashenko Plans to Discuss Afghanistan With Putin on 9 September

MOSCOW (Sputnik) - Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko said he plans to discuss developments in Afghanistan with Russian President Vladimir Putin at their meeting scheduled for Thursday.

"Tomorrow, I will meet with the Russian president. Obviously, we will discuss the situation in the Eurasian Economic Union and certainly the situation in Afghanistan and its influence on Central Asia and Russia. Belarusians will certainly not stay on the sidelines," Lukashenko told Kazakh National Security Committee Chairman Karim Massimov, as quoted by Belarusian state-run news agency Belta.

07:41 GMT 08.09.2021

Japan Closely Monitoring Developments in Afghanistan After Taliban Announced New Gov't

TOKYO (Sputnik) - Japan is closely monitoring the actions of the Taliban (banned in Russia) following their announcement of the lineup of the new government, Chief Cabinet Secretary Katsunobu Kato said on 8 September.

The radical movement unveiled their caretaker government on Tuesday. The all-male interim government consists mostly of senior Taliban officials, with Hasan Akhund, who has been under UN sanctions since 2001, at the helm.

"We know that the interim composition of the Taliban government was announced on Tuesday. Our country is closely monitoring the actions of the Taliban, and is interacting with the interested countries, primarily the United States," Kato told reporters.

Japan is also is making efforts to ensure the safety and departure of Japanese citizens and staff of its local facilities from Afghanistan, the official said, noting that Tokyo has sent a government representative to Doha to discuss practical issues.

07:18 GMT 08.09.2021

Philippines Open to Refugees From Afghanistan - Charge d'Affaires in Moscow

MOSCOW (Sputnik) - The Philippines is open to refugees from Afghanistan and anyone who is in trouble and needs a safe harbor, charge d'affaires ad interim in Moscow Robert Ferrer said in an interview with Sputnik.

"Our country is open to refugees from Afghanistan, ... from the White Russians [members of the White movement anti-communist forces in the years of the Russian Civil War] before, the Chinese nationalists who escaped the Chinese Civil War in 1949. We have never closed our borders to those who are legitimately in need of a safe harbor. We even harbored three ships of the Russian squadron when they were defeated in Battle of Tsushima in 1905, they went to Manila, Manila was their safe harbor," Ferrer said.

"Our message to Russia and the rest of the world is: the Philippines is welcoming people who are in trouble. I think our president already made this announcement," the diplomat added.