World leaders were adjusting to the new political reality in
Afghanistan Monday, the downbeat mood in the West leavened by a more pragmatic approach
from some other powers.
اضافة اعلان
German Chancellor Angela Merkel described the return of the
Taliban to power
as "particularly dramatic and terrible".
"It is terrible for the millions of Afghans who had worked for a freer
society and who, with the support of the Western community, have focused on
democracy, on education, on women's rights," she said.
It was also devastating for the loved ones of soldiers who paid with their
lives in the NATO operation, she said.
Biden stands by
pull-out
US President Joe Biden defended the troop pull-out, in an address to the
nation after having cut short his holiday to return to Washington.
"I stand squarely behind my decision. After 20 years, I've learned the
hard way that there was never a good time to withdraw US forces," he said.
His administration has come under heavy criticism, with even some allies
arguing that once the US decided to pull out its troops they had no choice but
to follow.
Biden acknowledged that the collapse of the previous Afghan administration
had happened faster than expected.
But referring to the country's former leaders, he said: "We gave them
every chance to determine their own future. We could not provide them with the
will to fight for that future."
Like Merkel, he addressed the plight of the country's women and girls under
the new Taliban regime.
"We'll continue to speak out on the basic rights of the Afghan people,
of women and girls," he said.
'A unified
approach'
On Monday, British Prime Minister Boris Johnson, whose country holds the
rotating G7 presidency, called for a virtual meeting of the group's leaders to
discuss the crisis to agree a "unified approach".
Before the previous Afghan administration collapsed, Johnson had said Friday
the UK and its partners should ensure "the government of Kabul does not
allow that country, again, to be a breeding ground for terror".
French President Emmanuel Macron took a similar line in a televised address
on Monday.
Afghanistan should not once again become the "sanctuary of
terrorism" that it had been until the US-led invasion two decades ago, he
said.
"This is key for international security and peace... we will do
everything for Russia, the United States and Europe to cooperate efficiently as
our interests are the same," he added.
France and the European Union would set up an initiative to prevent large
"irregular" migrant flows from the country, he added. EU foreign
ministers are to discuss the crisis on Tuesday.
Russia, China,
reach out
Russia, one of the few countries not evacuating its diplomatic staff from
Kabul, said it was suspending judgement on the regime.
Foreign ministry official Zamir Kabulov said Russia would decide on
recognizing the new Taliban government based "on the conduct of the new
authorities".
Moscow had "established working contacts with representatives of the
new authorities" and Russia's ambassador was due to meet the Taliban on
Tuesday.
A Chinese government spokesman said on Monday Beijing was ready to deepen
"friendly and cooperative" relations with Afghanistan.
"The Taliban have repeatedly expressed their hope to develop good
relations with China, and that they look forward to China's participation in
the reconstruction and development of Afghanistan," said a foreign
ministry spokeswoman.
Iran 'monitoring'
developments
Iran's new ultra-conservative President Ebrahim Raisi saw the chance of
something positive.
"The military defeat and the US withdrawal from Afghanistan should
offer an opportunity to restore life, security and lasting peace in that
country," said Raisi, quoted by his office.
While his statement did not directly mention the Taliban, it did say Tehran
wanted good relations with its eastern neighbour and was "closely
monitoring" developments there.
Iran hosts nearly 3.5 million Afghans, who make up nearly four percent of
its population, according to the UN refugee agency.
Others meanwhile, welcomed the Taliban's return to power.
The Palestinian Islamist movement Hamas, which controls the Gaza Strip, said
it "congratulates the Taliban movement and its courageous leadership on
this victory, which was the culmination of its long struggle over the past 20
years".
Read more Regional news
.jpg)
.jpg)
