Taliban invite Turkey to gov't formation ceremony in Afghanistan

Duvar English

The Taliban have invited a number of countries, including Turkey, to attend a ceremony announcing a new government in Afghanistan, following the takeover of the country last month, the group's representative told the Al Jazeera TV channel on Sept. 6.

"We have sent invitations to Turkey, China, Russia, Iran, Pakistan and Qatar to take part in the [ceremony] of announcing [the composition of the new Afghan] government," the Islamist group’s representative, whose name has not been disclosed, reportedly said.

The report didn’t give an exact date, but the Taliban are expected to unveil its interim government later this week.

Last week, Taliban spokesperson Zabihullah Mujahid said that Turkey and Qatar were working to restart operations in Kabul airport.

In statements made during an interview with the Italian daily La Repubblica on Sept. 2, Mujahid said: "Qatar and Turkey are working to make the airport functioning again. Everything will be cleaned up in three days and rebuilt in the shortest time possible. I hope that the airport will start to function once again in September." 

Following the withdrawal of western states from Afghanistan, the Taliban will now depend mainly on money from China, Mujahid also said.

Amid the chaos of the Taliban takeover in Afghanistan, Turkey has been trying to position itself with the new regime and take advantage of the benefits from the vacuum that came with the withdrawal of U.S. and NATO forces.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan has said that his ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) is ready for cooperation with the Taliban.