UN envoy: Afghanistan's future must be free of terrorism

A Chinese envoy to the United Nations stressed Monday that Afghanistan "must never again become a haven for terrorists", which he said will be necessary for any future political solution in the country.

"In the last 20 years, terrorist organizations such as Islamic State, al-Qaida and ETIM have gathered and developed in Afghanistan, posing a serious threat to international and regional peace and security. Afghanistan must never again become a haven for terrorists. This is the bottom line that must be held firmly for any future political solution in Afghanistan," said Geng Shuang, China's deputy permanent representative to the UN.

China hopes that the Taliban will commit to making "a clean break" with the terrorist organizations, Geng said. All countries should work together to combat terrorism in "in all its forms and manifestations", and "take resolute actions" to prevent terrorist organizations such as Islamic State, al-Qaida and East Turkestan Islamic Movement (ETIM) from taking advantage of this chaos.

Geng made the remarks during a UN Security Council emergency meeting on Afghanistan, convened just a day after the Taliban seized control of the country following the withdrawal of US troops, which started in May.

The envoy noted that the situation in Afghanistan has undergone major changes — and the country's national prospects are at a historic crossroads.

"China has always maintained that the political solution is the only way out for Afghanistan," Geng said, adding that China "respects the will and choice of the Afghan people".

He stressed the pressing task at the moment is to restore peace, stability and order as soon as possible so as to avoid unnecessary casualties and large numbers of refugees to the utmost extent possible.

The envoy called on Taliban to respect and guarantee the safety, security and interest of foreign nationals in the country. All parties in Afghanistan have the responsibility to protect people's lives and property. They should provide assurance for the safe residence and orderly evacuation of foreign citizens, he added.

China has noted that the Afghan Taliban said the war in Afghanistan is over and they will form an open, inclusive Islamic government in addition to taking actions to protect Afghan citizens and foreign diplomatic missions, the envoy said.

"China hopes these remarks can be implemented so as to ensure a smooth transition of the situation in Afghanistan, keep at bay all kinds of terrorism and criminal acts, and make sure that the Afghan people stay away from war and can rebuild their homeland," Geng said.

He also expressed hope that the Afghan Taliban can form solidarity with all factions and ethnic groups in the country and build an inclusive political structure suited to its national realities, so as to lay the foundation for achieving enduring peace in the country.

Geng noted the dire humanitarian situation in Afghanistan. He urged the international community to step up humanitarian assistance to Afghanistan and its neighbors, which have received a large number of displaced persons from Afghanistan, to help alleviate the regional humanitarian crisis.

The relevant parties should ensure that international humanitarian relief agencies can continue their work unhindered. The international community should also continue to help Afghanistan and its neighbors to control the pandemic as soon as possible, he added.

The chaos currently in Afghanistan is directly related to the hasty withdrawal of foreign troops, Geng said. Relevant countries should earnestly deliver on the commitment to support peace, reconciliation and reconstruction in Afghanistan and play a constructive role on the issue of Afghanistan, he said.

"On the basis of respecting the leadership of Afghanistan and relevant efforts of the neighboring countries in the political, security, development, humanitarian and anti-narcotics fields, constructive assistance to Afghanistan should be provided on continuing basis," he added.

Geng asked the secretary-general to ensure the safety of personnel of the UN Assistance Mission in Afghanistan, which has played an important role in supporting the peaceful reconstruction of Afghanistan.

China also looks forward to the UN chief presenting practical views and recommendations to the Security Council on the future UN presence in Afghanistan as soon as possible, he said.

On Sunday, the Taliban captured Kabul, the capital of Afghanistan and home to some 6 million people. The collapse of the Afghanistan government came after several months of armed conflict across the country following the pullout of US and NATO troops.

The Taliban ruled the country from 1996 to 2001, before US-backed Afghan forces drove them from power in 2001 for refusing to hand over al-Qaida leader Osama bin Laden, considered the mastermind of the 9/11 attacks.

Following Monday's emergency meeting, the 15-member Security Council released a statement calling for "an immediate cessation of all hostilities" and the establishment, through inclusive negotiations, of a new government that is united, inclusive and includes women.

The top UN decision-making body also stressed "a peaceful settlement through an Afghan-led, Afghan-owned process of national reconciliation".

During a speech at the emergency session, UN Secretary-General António Guterres appealed to the international community "to stand together" to uphold human rights and to ensure that the Asian country "is never again used as a platform or safe haven for terrorist organizations".