Security Council Powers United On 'stable' Afghanistan: Guterres

United Nations, United States, Sept 23 (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 23rd Sep, 2021 ) :The five permanent Security Council members are united on seeking a stable Afghanistan, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said Wednesday after talks among foreign ministers following the Taliban takeover.

All five powers want "a peaceful and stable Afghanistan where humanitarian aid can be distributed without problems and without discrimination," Guterres told reporters after the meeting during the Annual General Assembly.

They seek "an Afghanistan where the rights of women and girl are respected, an Afghanistan that is not a sanctuary for terrorism, an Afghanistan with an inclusive government representing all sections of the population," he said.

The US secretary of state and the foreign ministers of Britain, France and Russia met in person while their Chinese counterpart Wang Yi joined them virtually for the talks of just over an hour.

None spoke to the press afterward.

Speaking to AFP before the meeting, China's ambassador to the United Nations, Zhang Jun, said that the five powers agreed on an inclusive government.

"Unity is everywhere," he said.

British Foreign Secretary Liz Truss sought the P5 meeting, voicing hope for unity on how to approach the Taliban.

The Taliban have requested to speak at the UN General Assembly but the United States, which sits on the credentialing committee, has made clear that no decision will be made before the summit ends early next week.