Afghanistan Withdraws Participation in UN General Assembly Debate

UNITED NATIONS (Sputnik) - Afghanistan withdrew on Monday its participation in the UN General Assembly high-level debates, spokeswoman for the UN General Assembly’s President, Monica Grayley, said.

"The Office of the President of the General Assembly was informed that the Member State withdrew its participation in the General Debate," Grayley said when asked why Afghanistan was not appearing on the updated speakers' list for Monday.

The issue of Afghanistan’s participation was unclear after the Taliban (banned in Russia) submitted a letter to the United Nations last week requesting permission to take part in the debate.

Later in the week, UN spokesperson Stephane Dujarric said Afghanistan’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations Ghulamnabi Isaczai, appointed by exiled President Ashraf Ghani, is set to address the UN General Assembly on Monday.