Taliban ask world to help end Afghans miseries

ISLAMABAD (NNI): The Afghanistan ruling Taliban on Sunday urged the world community to help mitigate the sufferings of the people of Afghanistan, and play their role for the reconstruction of the war-torn country.

The Taliban leaders regretted imposition of sanctions on Afghanistan, and called for their withdrawal keeping in view the ground realities in the country.

Talibans Radio Shariat reported that the head of the Taliban Interim Council Mullah Muhammad Rabbani wrote a letter of felicitations to the UN Secretary General Kofi Annan on the occasion of New Millennium, in which he made mention of the situation in the country.

He said foreign interference in Afghanistan continued till the end of the 20th century. "It is extremely unfortunate that the UN Security Council should imposed economic sanctions on the war-ravaged Afghanistan," he added.

He hoped that at the beginning of the new century, the world body would realize realities on the ground, and take measures to reduce the economic sufferings of the Afghans due to sanctions.

He urged the United Nations to play its role for peace in the region. The Radio also quoted Rabbani as having sent messages to Pakistan, OIC and other western countries on the occasion of new year.

Taliban Foreign Minister Wakil Ahmed Mutawwakil has also written felicitation letters to his world counterparts.