Qatar calls for dialogue with Taliban in Afghanistan

By Ahmed Yousef

DOHA, Qatar (AA) – Qatar's Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani on Tuesday urged the international community to continue engagement with the Taliban interim government in Afghanistan.

Addressing the 76th session of the UN General Assembly in New York, Tamim also called for separating the provision of humanitarian assistance from the political process in the war-torn nation.

"The international community must provide assistance to Afghanistan and it is necessary to continue dialogue with the Taliban," he said.

The Qatari ruler said the international community has a responsibility to "work in a systematic and persistent manner to achieve a comprehensive political settlement" in Afghanistan.

Qatar played a significant role in the evacuation of foreigners and Afghans from Afghanistan after the Taliban took control of the capital Kabul along with its continued efforts and assistance to help the Afghan people.

In 10 days in August, the Taliban announced its control of Afghanistan in parallel with the US troop withdrawal from the country after a 20-year military presence.

*Writing by Ahmed Asmar