The world must unite to combat the “global terrorist threat” in Afghanistan, according to UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon

United Nations: As the UN held an emergency meeting Monday following the Taliban’s takeover of the war-torn country, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres urged the international community to work together to combat the “global terrorist threat in Afghanistan.”
“The international community must come together to ensure that Afghanistan is never again used as a platform or safe haven for terrorist organisations,” Guterres said at the United Nations Security Council in New York.

After Taliban militants stormed Kabul on Sunday, forcing Afghan President Ashraf Ghani to flee abroad, the meeting was hastily convened at the UN’s headquarters.

“I call on the Security Council — and the international community as a whole — to unite, work together, and act together,” Guterres said.

He urged countries to “use all available tools to combat the global terrorist threat in Afghanistan and to ensure that basic human rights are respected.”

After a stunningly quick end to Afghanistan’s 20-year war, victorious Taliban fighters patrolled Kabul, according to Guterres’ remarks.

Thousands of people descended on the city’s airport in an attempt to flee the group’s feared hardline Islamist rule.

During the meeting, the United States reiterated Guterres’ call.

“We also call on all parties to prevent terrorism, and we must all work together to ensure that Afghanistan is never, ever again a terrorist safe haven,” said Ambassador Linda Thomas-Greenfield.

In Geneva, a group of UN human rights experts urged the Security Council to act under Chapter 7 of the UN Charter, which authorises military action to restore international peace and security.

But, according to diplomats, that is not on the table in New York, where the council is expected to issue a joint statement later.

“The rest of the world is watching. We cannot and must not abandon the Afghan people “Guterres stated.

The secretary-general urged the international community to “speak with one voice” in order to “protect human rights in Afghanistan.”

“It is critical that the hard-won rights of Afghan women and girls be protected,” he said.

The United Kingdom was among the countries that demanded the Taliban “honour their promises to protect and uphold human rights, including those of women, girls, and minorities.”

“The Taliban cannot expect to have any legitimacy in the eyes of the Afghan people or the international community if they continue to violate basic human rights,” said deputy permanent representative James Kariuki.

During the meeting, Afghanistan’s UN ambassador, Ghulam M. Isaczai, urged countries to “unambiguously state” that they would not recognise a Taliban government.

China has stated that it is prepared for “friendly and cooperative” relations with Afghanistan’s new government, while Moscow has stated that it has “established working contacts with representatives of the new authorities.”

Pakistan complained that India, which currently holds the rotating presidency of the UN Security Council, had denied its request to address the meeting.

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