Taliban Holds News Conference Stating They Are Not Seeking Revenge

“We want the world to trust us” and we are not seeking revenge in Afghanistan after regaining control of the country, the group has said this in a news conference.

A spokesman for the militant group said Afghanistan has now been “emancipated” as he appealed to people not to interfere in the transfer of power.

Speaking at the Afghan presidential palace, Zabihullah Mujahid said the group’s top priority is to create “law and order” for the capital Kabul – and assured the people of the city they would “live in peace”.

He referred to Afghanistan as the “Islamic Emirate” and said the Taliban “holds no grudge against anyone”.

Mr Mujahid said the group is committed to the rights of women within the framework of Sharia – a religious law forming part of the Islamic tradition.

Key points from Taliban’s news conference:

The Taliban do not want to fight in Afghanistan and their main priority is to “maintain law and order in Kabul”. They say their top priority is “security and peace”.

The group wants to “assure the world”, including the USA, that Afghanistan soil will not be used against any country in the world.

The Taliban “don’t want any internal or external enemies” and the country is now emancipated.

They recognize the rights of women “that Islam gave them” and say women can work, go to school, and can work in schools and in hospitals.

The Taliban will “develop” the economy in Afghanistan and “want the world to trust us so we can work for the betterment of Afghan people”

It has also assured the safety of all those who have worked with the US and other forces. Translators or contractors who worked for foreign powers are all pardoned and there will be no revenge against them, the briefing was told.

The group has directed its fighters “not to harm anybody, not to knock at any door unnecessarily”.

Speaking to reporters, Mr. Mujahid also gave assurances over the safety of those who had worked with American and allied forces.

He said the Taliban does “not want them to leave the country” but wants them to use their skills to serve the new regime – and they “will be pardoned”.