Hope to form inclusive Afghan govt before US withdrawal deadline: Taliban

Kabul, Aug 25 (EFE).- As clouds of uncertainty loom large over Afghan politics and security, the Taliban Wednesday reiterated their commitment to forming an “inclusive government” before the US completes its withdrawal from the country on Aug.31.

In an exclusive interview with EPA-EFE in the Afghan capital, Taliban spokesperson Zabihullah Mujahid said there was no need for Afghans to fear the return of the Islamist group after it declared a general amnesty for all.

“We will try to form this inclusive government before the withdrawal (of the US from Afghanistan),” said Mujahid, seated in his office in Kabul.

He said consultations were on about government formation.

“We are trying our best to finish with (the) consultation process and form the government as soon as possible.”

The soft-spoken turbaned Taliban leader recently came out from his behind-the-scenes persona when he addressed his first presser, days after the Islamist fighters marched into Kabul to overthrow the US-backed government of President Ashraf Ghani.

For years, Mujahid, being the Taliban spokesperson, had operated underground fighting the modern information warfare for the insurgent group, designated as a global terror organization by many foreign governments.

Since the Taliban took control of Afghanistan, Mujahid has addressed two press conferences in Kabul besides giving interviews to many foreign news channels and newspapers.

He is now projected as one of the moderate faces of the extremist group who speaks to the media, responds to interview requests and questions from journalists.

Discussing the migration of thousands of Afghans who are fleeing the country fearing the return of a repressive Taliban rule, Mujahid insisted that there was no need for anyone to be scared.