Taliban: If the United Nations confirms its delegates, the Taliban stated on Friday (September 24) that it is ready to cooperate to develop relations with the United States, the European Union, and other countries.

Afghan deputy minister of culture and information Zabihullah Mujahid said in an interview that: “If my brother Suhail is approved by the UN as our representative, he will obviously make effort to strengthen relations with other countries, including the European Union and the US, as well as with Muslim countries for the sake of strong and long-term cooperation. This will be the primary task.” He also stated that the Taliban would approach friendly countries like Qatar for assistance in obtaining a UN seat.

Suhail Shaheen was previously nominated by the Taliban as a permanent representative to the organisation. The group also stated that it is not pursuing former President Ashraf Ghani’s extradition, but rather the restitution of cash allegedly stolen by him. Ghani fled Kabul for the United Arab Emirates last month after the Taliban seized control of the Afghan capital.