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Qatar sends highest-ranking delegation to Kabul since Taliban takeover

A member of the Qatar special forces (R) stands guard as he arrives at the airport in Kabul on September 12, 2021.
A member of the Qatar special forces (R) stands guard as he arrives at the airport in Kabul on September 12, 2021. Copyright  AFP
Copyright AFP
By euronews
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Qatar's foreign minister was in Kabul on Sunday, becoming the first high-ranking government official to meet the interim Taliban government in Afghanistan.

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The new government of Afghanistan is looking for allies.

On Sunday, Taliban leaders hosted the Qatari foreign minister Mohammad bin Abdulrahman Al-Thani, who became the highest-ranking official to visit the country since last month's takeover. He met with the head of the Taliban government, Mullah Mohammad Hasan Akhund.

The Qatar delegation also met with former president Hamid Karzai and Abdullah Abdullah, the previous government’s chief negotiator in peace talks with the Taliban.

A regular mediator in the country, Qatar has "urged Afghan officials to engage all Afghan parties in national reconciliation".

"The meeting focused on bilateral relations, humanitarian assistance, economic development and interaction with the world," Taliban spokesman Suhail Shaheen said in a tweet.

While trying to consolidate their government, the Taliban face a huge economic crisis.

Despite the resumption of imports of raw materials and fuel more than two weeks ago, prices are soaring, fueling complaints from citizens and transport workers.

Furthermore, the health system is on the verge of collapse.

With the external supply switched off and the lack of staff after many fled the country, workers are struggling to treat more patients while waiting for a salary that has not been paid for months.

Additional sources • AA, AP

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