This archive report was first published on 22 September 2021.
September 22, 2021 - The United Nations is facing a dilemma as the Taliban's new foreign minister, Amir Khan Muttaqi, has requested to address world leaders at the UN General Assembly meeting in New York.
According to a UN spokesman, the Taliban's request was made in a letter dated September 20, listing Muttaqi as the 'Minister of Foreign Affairs' and requesting to participate in the high-level debate.
The letter did not specify whether Muttaqi wanted to travel to New York to speak or whether the Taliban would submit a recorded video message, as many leaders are doing this year due to Covid-19.
Meanwhile, the ousted Afghan government's ambassador, Ghulam Isaczai, has also requested to speak at the UN General Assembly, listing himself as Afghanistan's permanent representative in a letter dated September 15.
The UN spokesman, Stephane Dujarric, said that a nine-member credentials committee will now rule on the dueling requests, but it is unclear whether the committee will meet before the end of the convocation on Monday.
The Taliban's request has sparked debate, with some countries refusing to recognize the new government. Pakistan's foreign minister, Shah Mahmood Qureshi, said that while his country has not recognized the Taliban, it is 'pragmatic' to acknowledge the new reality.
