Russia, Turkish discuss Afghanistan

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov and his Turkish counterpart Mevlut Cavusoglu discussed the situation in Afghanistan today and called on key players to ensure security there, Russia’s Foreign Ministry said in a statement, Reuters reported.

The Taliban said yesterday they wanted peaceful relations with other countries and would respect women’s rights within the framework of Islamic law, as they held their first official news briefing since their lightning seizure of Kabul.

Lavrov and Cavusoglu discussed Afghanistan in detail, the Foreign Ministry said, and expressed a mutual interest in stabilising the situation.

The Taliban took control of the capital Kabul and the presidential palace on Sunday after President Ashraf Ghani fled the country. Many fear that their return to power after 20 years of the US-led occupation could see the end to women’s rights and a return to an oppressive society.

READ: Taliban ‘looks forward’ to working with Turkey