Taliban should put down arms to involve in Afghan politics

Participation of the Taliban in Afghanistan's politics is possible if the outfit put down their arms, stops terror activities and accepts the country's constitution, the UK envoy to the UN John Sawers has said.

Participation of the Taliban in Afghanistan's politics is possible if the outfit put down their arms, stops terror activities and accepts the country's constitution, the UK envoy to the UN John Sawers has said.

HT Image

"We would very much welcome it if elements of the Taliban put down their arms stop their insurgency, stop their terrorist activity, and were prepared to participate in Afghan politics within the framework of the Afghan constitution," Sawers said.

Sawers was speaking to reporters after the Security Council issued a press statement condemning the suicide bomb attack aimed at the Indian Embassy in Kabul, for which the Taliban claimed responsibility.

He said that the involvement of the Taliban as a political entity was a matter that had to be worked out between the Afghan government and the insurgent group.

"I think that the Afghan government has always been open to any group that is prepared to accept the Afghan constitution, prepared to accept purely political means to take part in Afghan politics. There is not a difficulty there," he said.