Iran Urges Support for Afghan Forces
TEHRAN (Tasnim) – Iran’s ambassador to the United Nations called for collective support for the Afghan security forces as Afghanistan has been facing a dilemma following the withdrawal of foreign forces.
Addressing a UN Security Council meeting on Afghanistan on June 22, Majid Takht Ravanchi called for effective support for the Afghan military and security forces when foreign troops leave the country.
Describing the security situation in Afghanistan as a source of serious concern, the Iranian envoy said Afghanistan has faced a dilemma due to the complete withdrawal of the foreign forces.
The Islamic Republic of Iran calls on all sides to prioritize the interests of the Afghan people, he stated.
The Iranian ambassador noted that if all sides agree to hold talks and halt years of bloodshed, reconciliation can happen in Afghanistan, but if one side tries to compel others to accept peace by force, it will fail.
The international community should not let the latter occur because it would not be the real peace and would not be sustainable either, Takht Ravanchi warned, IRNA reported.
Surely, a more secure, stable and wealthy Afghanistan will benefit the country, its people, its neighbors and the world, Takht Ravanchi stressed.
To reach that end, a process of peace should start in Afghanistan with the help of the United Nations, he said, adding that such a process should basically serve sustainable peace.
After the withdrawal of the foreign forces from Afghanistan, Taliban has no excuse for bullying, the envoy said, stressing that the group should stop aggression and take this unprecedented opportunity to honestly help establish sustainable peace in Afghanistan.
Meanwhile, any process of peace will fail in the absence of other players, he emphasized, saying the peace process will be successful only if it is supported strongly.
Iran still calls on the UN to play a leading role in the intra-Afghan peace process of talks, he noted.
Referring to the critical security situation in Afghanistan, Takht Ravanchi condemned the terrorist attacks on religious minorities, women and girls in Afghanistan.
Although sustainable peace should be seriously followed up in Afghanistan, economic development in that country should not be ignored, the ambassador underlined, giving an assurance that Iran has stood by Afghanistan.
