Taliban vows no revenge in first news conference since seizing power
Taliban officials have fronted the worldâs 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 âemancipatedâ the country and did not want Afghanistan to be the âbattlefield of conflict anymoreâ.
âEveryone is forgiven,â he said, adding that the group sought âno revengeâ.
It is the first time the elusive figure has shown his face to the world. He began the media event â" the groupâs first news conference since seizing power on the weekendâ" with a religious recitation.
He said it was the Talibanâs right to fight for Afghanistanâs independence.
âAfter 20 years of struggle, once again we have emancipated our country and made it independent again, and we have expelled the foreigners,â he said.
âThis is a proud moment for the whole nation.â
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 organisationâs 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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