-
US 'concerned' as Taliban revealed Afghanistan's new government members
The BBC reported, the US has said it is "concerned" after the Taliban unveiled Afghanistan's new all-male government with figures linked to attacks on American forces.
The BBC said, the US State Department stated it was "assessing" the announcement.
The Afghanistan's new cabinet is led by Mullah Mohammad Hassan Akhund, who is on a UN blacklist. Another figure, Sirajuddin Haqqani, is wanted by the FBI.
According to the BBC, US Senator Lindsey Graham described the new caretaker cabinet as a "line-up of thugs and butchers". He is one of a number of senior Republicans to condemn as "ill-advised" Democratic President Joe Biden's decision to withdraw from Afghanistan.
The Taliban government - who also on Tuesday declared Afghanistan an "Islamic Emirate" - faces tough challenges in the conflict-torn country, not least stabilising the economy and gaining international recognition.
The group had previously said they wanted to form an inclusive government.
The BBC mentioned that the US State Department said in a statement on Tuesday: "We note the announced list of names consists exclusively of individuals who are members of the Taliban or their close associates and no women.
"We also are concerned by the affiliations and track records of some of the individuals."
The statement said Washington would "continue to hold the Taliban to their commitments" to allow safe passage for foreign nationals and Afghans with travel documents, "including permitting flights currently ready to fly out of Afghanistan".
Read more: Taliban fire shots to disperse an anti-Pakistan protest in Kabul
"We also reiterate our clear expectation that the Taliban ensure that Afghan soil is not used to threaten any other countries," it said, adding: "The world is watching closely."
The BBC noted that earlier on Tuesday, a statement attributed to Taliban Supreme Leader Mawlawi Hibatullah Akhundzada told the government to uphold Sharia law - Islam's legal system.
The Taliban want "strong and healthy relations with our neighbours and all other countries based on mutual respect and interaction", said the statement, released in English - with the caveat that they would respect international laws and treaties "that are not in conflict with Islamic law and the country's national values".
Source: BBC
