Taliban envoy seeks UN acceptance

Kabul: The Taliban-nominated envoy to the United Nations Suhail Shaheen once again called on the organisation to allow him to represent Afghanistan at the international forum.

Taking to Twitter on Thursday, Shaheen said: "The Kabul administration exists no more and has no components of a government while IEA (Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan), having all components of a government, is the only and real representative of the people of Afghanistan."

He added that since the administration of former President Ashraf Ghani collapsed following the fall of Kabul to the Taliban on August 15, Ghulam Isaczai, the Permanent Representative of the elected government of Afghanistan, can no longer represent the country at the UN.

Shaheen's renewed appeal on Thursday came as he was prevented by the world body from taking Afghanistan's seat. The UN has also extended Isaczai's tenure.

However, Isaczai withdrew from speaking at the high-level UN General Assembly meeting on Monday.