Afghan FM dials Jaishankar to seek emergency UNSC session on Afghanistan

Kabul, Aug 3 (UNI) As the Taliban attacked Kabul on Tuesday evening, Afghan Foreign Minister Mohammad Haneef Atmar called Indian External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar to request convening of an emergency session on Afghanistan at the UN Security Council, with India holding the month-long presidency of the 15-member world body.
Atmar demanded that the UN and the international community must play a greater role to stop the tragedy unfolding in Afghanistan, where Taliban fighters have been on a rampage ever since the US-led coalition troops began withdrawing.
“Called Indian FM HE @DrSJaishankar to discuss convening an emergency UN Security Council Session on Afghanistan. UN and international community must play a greater role to stop the unfolding tragedy in Afghanistan due to Taliban violence and atrocities. Appreciate the lead role of India as current UNSC President,” Atmar tweeted.
His call to Jaishankar came as a car bomb exploded outside the house of the acting Defence Minister Gen Bismillah Mohammadi in downtown Kabul on Tuesday late evening, followed by sporadic gunfire and hand grenade blasts.
The Defence Minister was reported to be fine as he was not at his residence at the time of the blast.
Atmar also hosted foreign envoys to brief them on the Taliban’s continued brutalities, leading to a humanitarian crisis.
“Hosted distinguished ambassadors of our regional and international partners to brief them on continued Taliban brutalities and the resulting humanitarian crisis, violations and destructions. Discussed our security plans and shared responsibility to prevent Taliban atrocities and raids on cities,” he tweeted.
Meanwhile, chants of “Allah O Akbar” began reverberating through the streets of Kabul and other major cities across Afghanistan, in support of the Afghan Security Forces. People marched on the streets in groups chanting loudly. On social media too, supporters of the Afghan government kept up the chant.
In another development, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken on Tuesday spoke with Afghan President Ashraf Ghani to “reiterate the strong and enduring U.S. commitment to Afghanistan” and on the need to “accelerate peace negotiations”.
“Spoke with @ashrafghani today to reiterate the strong and enduring U.S. commitment to Afghanistan. We discussed the need to accelerate peace negotiations toward an inclusive political settlement that respects the rights of all Afghans, including women and girls,” he posted.
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