Taliban diplomat to take role as Moscow ambassador - International
Gul Hassan, a former consul in Pakistan, arrived in the capital earlier on Tuesday and will soon "take up his duties", Russia's TASS news agency said.
An official at the Afghan embassy told AFP that Hassan "was due to arrive today".
Moscow has expanded its economic and diplomatic ties with the Islamist group since it returned to power in Afghanistan following a 20-year insurgency against the US-backed government in Kabul.
Several other countries including China and the United Arab Emirates have also accepted a Taliban-appointed envoy, though no state has yet officially recognised them as Afghanistan's lawful government.
The Islamist group seized power after American forces supporting the country's internationally recognised government pulled out in 2021.
Moscow has taken steps to normalise relations with the Taliban authorities since then, removing their designation as a "terrorist organisation" in April and inviting them to official events.
Russia had already accepted a Taliban-appointed charge d'affaires in 2022.
Russia was the first country to open a business representative office in Kabul after the Taliban takeover, and has announced plans to use Afghanistan as a transit hub for gas heading to Southeast Asia.
In July 2024, Russian President Vladimir Putin called the Taliban "allies in the fight against terrorism".
Follow us on:
Short link:
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Al-Ahram Weekly
10 hours ago
- Al-Ahram Weekly
Taliban diplomat to take role as Moscow ambassador - International
A Taliban diplomat will on Tuesday assume the role as Afghanistan's ambassador to Russia, the Islamist group's first top envoy to Moscow since seizing power in 2021, Russian state media reported. Gul Hassan, a former consul in Pakistan, arrived in the capital earlier on Tuesday and will soon "take up his duties", Russia's TASS news agency said. An official at the Afghan embassy told AFP that Hassan "was due to arrive today". Moscow has expanded its economic and diplomatic ties with the Islamist group since it returned to power in Afghanistan following a 20-year insurgency against the US-backed government in Kabul. Several other countries including China and the United Arab Emirates have also accepted a Taliban-appointed envoy, though no state has yet officially recognised them as Afghanistan's lawful government. The Islamist group seized power after American forces supporting the country's internationally recognised government pulled out in 2021. Moscow has taken steps to normalise relations with the Taliban authorities since then, removing their designation as a "terrorist organisation" in April and inviting them to official events. Russia had already accepted a Taliban-appointed charge d'affaires in 2022. Russia was the first country to open a business representative office in Kabul after the Taliban takeover, and has announced plans to use Afghanistan as a transit hub for gas heading to Southeast Asia. In July 2024, Russian President Vladimir Putin called the Taliban "allies in the fight against terrorism". Follow us on: Facebook Instagram Whatsapp Short link:
Al-Ahram Weekly
11 hours ago
- Al-Ahram Weekly
Israel army says intercepted missile launched from Yemen - War on Gaza
Israel's military said it intercepted a missile launched from Yemen on Tuesday, after air raid sirens sounded in several areas including Jerusalem. "Following the sirens that sounded a short while ago in several areas in Israel, a missile that was launched from Yemen was intercepted" by the Israeli air force, an army statement said. Yemen's Iran-backed Huthi rebels have launched repeated missile and drone attacks against Israel since its October 2023 war on Gaza . On Saturday, the Huthis said they fired a ballistic missile towards Israel in response to Israel's conduct towards Palestinians during the Gaza war. It was the first missile launch against Israel announced by the Huthis since the June 24 ceasefire between Israel and Iran which ended their 12-day war. The Huthis, who say they are acting in solidarity with Palestinians, paused their attacks during a two-month ceasefire in Gaza that ended in March, but renewed them after Israel resumed its offensive. Israel has carried out several retaliatory strikes in Yemen, targeting Huthi-held ports and the airport in the rebel-held capital Sanaa. Follow us on: Facebook Instagram Whatsapp Short link:
See - Sada Elbalad
14 hours ago
- See - Sada Elbalad
The Reality and Future of Ongoing Settlements for Eastern Democratic Republic of Congo Crisis
Dr. Mohamed Mahmoud Abdelwahab The Democratic Republic of the Congo and Rwanda signed a peace agreement brokered by the United States to help end the fighting that has persisted for decades in eastern Congo. Washington's mediation does not come under the banner of 'for God and for humanity' as much as it grants the US government and its companies competitive advantages in accessing vital minerals in the region. President Trump stated in a press conference that he managed to broker a deal for one of the worst wars ever, and secured for the United States many mineral rights from the DRC. Meanwhile, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio described the move as a significant moment after 30 years of war. This aligns with estimates suggesting that Washington is primarily focused on increasing its economic benefits in eastern Congo. Media expect the agreement to pave the way for major American investments in energy and mining sectors, especially as Washington seeks to reduce its dependence on supply chains controlled by China. Eastern Congo is a strategic region due to the possession of 80% of the world's coltan reserves which is a metal used in the production of nuclear reactors. The majority of this wealth is concentrated in the eastern part of the country. Erik Prince who is a supporter of President Trump and founder of Blackwater recently agreed with the Congolese government to join a partnership in the vital minerals sector. This comes in parallel with notable Russian interest in energy projects in regional countries. Moscow recently signed an agreement with the Republic of the Congo to construct a pipeline extending from Pointe-Noire port to the capital, Brazzaville. Regarding international and media expectations of the agreement signed in Washington, some quickly promoted it as a major step to peace. This was reflected in remarks by Bintou Keita, Head of the UN Organization Stabilization Mission in the DRC, who said that the signing of the peace agreement between Congo and Rwanda is a significant step forward toward ending the conflict. Others took a more cautious view, considering it a step within ongoing peace efforts in the region. Rwanda's ambassador to the UN Security Council stated that although the road ahead is still long, the path to lasting peace in the Great Lakes region is now clearer than ever. Regional media coverage was generally balanced. Mohamed Tourshan, a researcher specializing in conflict and security issues in Africa, told Asharq Al-Awsat newspaper that the agreement reached between Rwanda and the DRC in Washington represents a historic agreement that could end years-long conflict. The agreement may represent an opportunity to achieve peace and stability in a region suffering from conflicts. However, the success of this agreement fundamentally depends on the seriousness and commitment of all parties. The international community is watching closely to see whether a deal will be signed between the Congolese government and the M23 rebel movement—especially as Rwanda announced on June 7, 2025, its intention to withdraw from the Economic Community of Central African States (ECCAS). The member states of this group account for 20.4% of Africa's area, and their proven oil reserves are estimated at about 31 billion barrels, 28% of Africa's total reserves. Former Congolese President Joseph Kabila adopted an opposing situation, describing the agreement as nothing more than a commercial deal and asserting that his country was not at war with the states appearing at the signing table. It can be said that this agreement did not prevent officials from several European countries, especially those interested in African affairs, from voicing concerns over the US administration's push to reach a peace deal hastily, in a manner resembling commercial transactions, without truly addressing the root causes of the conflict. This concern is pushing France to consider organizing a conference on the humanitarian situation in the Great Lakes region in the near future. Moreover, the agreement did not halt the ongoing exchange of accusations between the warring parties. The DRC's representative to the Security Council stated that the security situation in the east of the country continues to be characterized by Rwandan aggression. Civilians are still suffering massacres, the rape of women and young girls, the forced recruitment of youth, and other violations of human rights and international humanitarian law. The M23 rebels declared that the agreement would not be binding for their movement, as they did not directly participate in the peace deal—despite taking part in other ongoing peace talks. This suggests that positions remain far apart, even as the agreement's mediators voiced optimism. Yet, the challenges persist, as noted by Christian Mulyeka, a political expert at the Congolese Depol Research Center, who described the agreement as a 'major turning point' but stated that it will by no means resolve all conflict-related issues. In parallel, there is growing influence and operational capability of ISIS in eastern Congo. The organization is activating its dormant cells in eastern Congo through its regional branch known as 'Islamic State Central Africa Province' in Uganda. This represents a growing security threat to the African continent's regions already facing activity from the Islamic State in West Africa Province, the Islamic State in Somalia, and ISIS in the Greater Sahara, as well as other regional branches of the organization. read more Analysis- Turkey Has 0 Regional Allies... Why? Analysis: Russia, Turkey... Libya in Return For Syria? Analysis: Who Will Gain Trump's Peace Plan Fruits? Analysis: Will Turkey's Erdogan Resort to Snap Election? Analysis: What Are Turkey's Aspirations in Iraq? Opinion & Analysis Analysis: Mercenaries In Libya... Who Should Be Blamed? Opinion & Analysis Analysis- How 'Libya Nightmare' Takes Erdogan to Algiers Opinion & Analysis Analysis: What Happens After Brexit? Opinion & Analysis Analysis: Strategic Significance of Libya's Sirte, Jufra! News China Launches Largest Ever Aircraft Carrier Sports Former Al Zamalek Player Ibrahim Shika Passes away after Long Battle with Cancer Videos & Features Tragedy Overshadows MC Alger Championship Celebration: One Fan Dead, 11 Injured After Stadium Fall Lifestyle Get to Know 2025 Eid Al Adha Prayer Times in Egypt Business Fear & Greed Index Plummets to Lowest Level Ever Recorded amid Global Trade War News Flights suspended at Port Sudan Airport after Drone Attacks Videos & Features Video: Trending Lifestyle TikToker Valeria Márquez Shot Dead during Live Stream News Shell Unveils Cost-Cutting, LNG Growth Plan Technology 50-Year Soviet Spacecraft 'Kosmos 482' Crashes into Indian Ocean News "Tensions Escalate: Iran Probes Allegations of Indian Tech Collaboration with Israeli Intelligence"
