Taliban Spokesperson Dismisses Russia's Call for Inclusive Government

Zabihullah Mujahid, the Taliban's spokesperson, dismissed the Russian Foreign Minister's call for the formation of an inclusive government in Afghanistan.

On Saturday, Mujahid claimed that the existing Taliban government already incorporates diverse elements, thereby rendering it inclusive. He stated that the Taliban has successfully ended “instability" in Afghanistan.

Mujahid called on other countries to avoid meddling in Afghanistan's "internal affairs," asserting that the Taliban similarly respects the sovereignty of other nations and refrains from intervening in their internal policies.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, during his annual press conference in Moscow, recognized the National Resistance Front of Afghanistan, led by Ahmad Massoud, active in the country's northern areas. Lavrov stressed the need for dialogue between this front and the Taliban, advocating for a bridging of differences.

Lavrov also acknowledged notable Afghan politicians like Hamid Karzai and Abdullah Abdullah, suggesting that the Taliban should broaden its governance by including varied political forces. He emphasized the importance of forming a government representative of all ethnic groups in Afghanistan, though he conceded that achieving such inclusivity would be challenging.