The Taliban Minister of Foreign Affairs announced Monday (January 10) that he had met in Tehran the son of Commander Massoud, Ahmad, a fierce opponent of his regime, to whom he assured that he could return without fear to Afghanistan.
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Amir Khan Muttaqi was leading a delegation of the Taliban regime to Iran on Saturday and Sunday, his first visit to the country, but no reference was made to a meeting with Ahmad Massoud and renowned Afghan warlord, historically based Ismail Khan. in Herat, near the Iranian border. "
We assured them that anyone can come to Afghanistan and live without worry
," Amir Khan Muttaqi said in a statement released on social media by Afghan state television. “
It's everyone's house and we don't create any safety concerns for anyone. Anyone can come freely and live
"in Afghanistan," he added. Ahmad Massoud's entourage was not immediately reachable for comment.
The son of the legendary Commander Massoud, assassinated in 2001 by al-Qaida, heads the National Resistance Front (FNR), which has promised to "
continue
" the struggle after the Taliban came to power in mid-August.
His final pocket of resistance, the Panchir valley, north of Kabul, was however taken by the Islamists at the end of September and the FNR has not been talked about much since.
Amir Khan Muttaqi also commented on his visit to Iran, which took place in "
a cordial atmosphere
", adding to have "
discussed all subjects (...), including the economy, trade
".
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Iran, like the rest of the international community, did not recognize the Islamic Emirate after the Taliban seized power in mid-August, thanks to the withdrawal of American troops, as it had not recognized. their first diet (1996-2001).
Tehran, however, seems to be sketching in recent months a rapprochement with the Islamists.
On their return to power, the Taliban had decreed a general amnesty and ensured that former soldiers or employees of the former Afghan government were not threatened.
Despite these promises, several NGOs estimate that at least 100 former police and intelligence officers have since disappeared, or have been the victims of summary executions.
On Saturday, an academic critical of the Taliban was also arrested.