asefi denies establishment of diplomatic ties with taliban

tehran, jan. 22, irna -- foreign ministry spokesman hamid-reza asefi here on saturday denied claims of establishment of any kind of diplomatic ties with taliban by iran. asefi, stressing that afghan muslim government is the sole legal government of afghanistan, ruled out the possibility of recognizing taliban as representative of afghan government by iran. he said the islamic republic of iran based on its national interests and security, is following up talks with taliban as an afghan group on such topics as checking smuggling of narcotic drugs, afghan refugees and border security. the issue of identification and punishment of agents behind murder of iranian diplomats and journalists in mazar-i-sharif has been given utmost attention by iranian foreign ministry, being seriously followed up in talks with the militia, asefi concluded. bg/rr