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2021.09.16 20:27 GMT+8

UN special envoy meets with Taliban officials in Kabul on humanitarian aid

Updated 2021.09.16 20:27 GMT+8
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Special United Nations Envoy and Head of the United Nation Mission in Afghanistan Deborah Lyons has met with Taliban officials, the United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) confirmed on Thursday.

Lyons met with Mullah Abdul Haq Wasiq, the acting intelligence chief of the Taliban government, in a discussion about the safety of United Nations personnel, the threat posed by ISIS and importance of humanitarian assistance for Afghans, UNAMA wrote on Twitter.

Lyons recently returned to Kabul after attending several meetings on Afghanistan.

On Wednesday, Lyons held a meeting with the Taliban's Interior Minister Mullah Sirajuddin Haqqani, stressing the necessity for all UN and humanitarian personnel in Afghanistan to be able to work without intimidation or obstruction to help Afghan people, according to UNAMA.

"The meeting also addressed requirement of mutual trust in collective efforts to improve the challenging situation in Afghanistan, not least in restarting the economy, ensuring civil servants and health workers are paid, as well as medicines and food reaching those most in need," UNAMA confirmed.

Undersecretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs Martin Griffiths visited Kabul and held talks with the Taliban leadership earlier this month.

On Monday, United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said the possibility of a complete economic collapse in Afghanistan was "serious" and highlighted an urgent need for funding support at a high-level ministerial meeting on Afghanistan's humanitarian situation in Geneva.

On Tuesday, the United Nations appealed to the countries pledging $1.2 billion in relief for Afghanistan to take actions quickly.

Source(s): Xinhua News Agency
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