Taliban vows no revenge in first news conference since seizing power

Taliban officials have fronted the world’s media in Kabul, promising that they will not take revenge on anyone and will pardon all those who fought against it during the two decades the United States spent fighting the insurgent group.

Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid said the organisation had “emancipated” the country and did not want Afghanistan to be the “battlefield of conflict anymore”.

“Everyone is forgiven,” he said, adding that the group sought “no revenge”.

It is the first time the elusive figure has shown his face to the world. He began the media event â€" the group’s first news conference since seizing power on the weekendâ€" with a religious recitation.

He said it was the Taliban’s right to fight for Afghanistan’s independence.

“After 20 years of struggle, once again we have emancipated our country and made it independent again, and we have expelled the foreigners,” he said.

“This is a proud moment for the whole nation.”

Since sweeping to power in just over a week following the withdrawal of US troops, the Taliban are attempting to show a more moderate face to the world compared to their previous rule.

They took the capital without any bloodshed on Sunday. They were met with little to no resistance as they reclaimed province after province, culminating with the capital on Sunday night.

In a further sign the insurgent group were taking the reins of government, the chief of the organisation’s political office Mullah Baradar arrived in Kandahar province.

More to come

Latika Bourke is a journalist for The Sydney Morning Herald and The Age, based in London.

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