Taliban's team paves way for rebuilding, analysts say

The establishment of the Taliban's interim government paves the way for peaceful reconstruction of war-torn Afghanistan amid formidable internal and external challenges, analysts say.

The international community should extend full support to the interim government to alleviate the suffering of the Afghan people, as judgmental attitudes would only complicate the situation and would not be helpful, said Salman Bashir, a former foreign secretary of Pakistan and former ambassador to China.

"Let the dreadful chapters of death and devastation be closed and the people of Afghanistan begin with fresh hope for a better future," he said.

On Tuesday night, the Taliban announced the formation of a caretaker government for Afghanistan, with Mullah Hassan Akhund named as acting prime minister.

Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid said that the appointments of members of the interim government are not final, as these are acting positions, and the remaining posts would be announced later. The move was aimed at carrying out necessary government work, he said, adding that the group would try to include people from various parts of the country.

In Beijing, Foreign Ministry spokesman Wang Wenbin said on Wednesday that China is paying close attention to the formation of the interim Afghan government and the announcements regarding key government posts－moves that have put an end to the anarchic state that Afghanistan has experienced for more than three weeks.

"It is a necessary step for Afghanistan to restore domestic order and begin postwar reconstruction," Wang said at a daily news conference.

China hopes Afghanistan can form an open and inclusive government, pursue moderate and prudent domestic and foreign policies, resolutely combat terrorist forces in all forms and coexist on friendly terms with all countries, especially its neighbors, Wang said.

In his first statement since the Taliban's takeover of the capital, Kabul, in mid-August, Taliban Supreme Leader Hibatullah Akhundzada said on Tuesday that the newly formed Taliban caretaker government will begin functioning soon.

He said the new leadership would ensure "lasting peace, prosperity and development", and he urged people not to try to leave the country.

Nonetheless, the Taliban and the new government face two major challenges, according to Imtiaz Gul, executive director of the Center for Research and Security Studies in Pakistan. One challenge will be to gain recognition by the West, including the United States and its allies, while the other is to become acceptable to the majority of the Afghan population, Gul said.

"So until the Taliban accord important positions with authority to non-Taliban stakeholders, it will be difficult for them to effectively rule and neutralize opposition," he added.

Hurdles to recognition

Gul said there could be hurdles to recognition by the West, at least by the US, noting that Sarajuddin Haqqani, who has been named acting interior minister, is on the FBI's most-wanted list for terrorism.

White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki told reporters at a briefing on Tuesday aboard Air Force One, as US President Joe Biden flew to New York, that there was no timeline for the recognition of the Taliban government.

Ambassador Dai Bing, the charge d'affaires of the Permanent Mission of China to the United Nations, said at a Security Council briefing on the maintenance of international peace and security on Tuesday that the frantic and disorganized withdrawal of troops from Afghanistan by the countries concerned has plunged Kabul into chaos and upheaval, leaving the Afghan people to pick up the pieces.

"We urge the countries concerned to honor their commitment to the peaceful reconstruction of Afghanistan, and not to pass the buck to its neighbors or the wider international community," he said.

Wang Dong, executive director of the Institute for Global Cooperation and Understanding at Peking University, said: "America needs to deeply reflect on its hegemonic way of thinking."

Wang Wenbin said China will maintain communication with the acting government in Afghanistan and its leaders, and hopes the new administration will meet the expectations of the Afghan people and the international community.

Akhundzada, the Taliban leader, said that everyone will take part in strengthening Afghanistan, and "in this way, we will rebuild our war-torn country". The ultimate goal of the acting government will be to "put the country on its feet as soon as possible", he added.

Xinhua contributed to this story.