Afghanistan Government Representing Single Faction Not Sustainable, Says Iranian Diplomat
Hassan Kazemi Qomi, Iranian ambassador in Kabul, stressed that history has proved that a single movement has never been able to survive in Afghanistan.
Qomi said that a government which only represents one segment of the society has not been able to address all the crises.
Qomi, who also works as the special representative of Tehran for Afghanistan affairs, in an interview with Al-Alam TV channel, said, "Today Afghanistan is facing a crisis built over several decades, so a government which is made up of only one part of the society will not be capable of solving all the problems.”
Qomi stated that "security and development in Afghanistan depend on political stability”.
Despite relatively close relations with the Taliban, Iran has not officially recognised the group. Iran has also repeatedly called for the formation of an inclusive government in Afghanistan; a demand which the Taliban consider as interference in their internal affairs.
Amir Khan Muttaqi, the Foreign Minister of the Taliban, indirectly addressed the Iranian government on Wednesday, during a gathering of pro-Taliban clerics in Kabul, and sarcastically questioned them, “Do you have an inclusive government? Thousands of people have disappeared in your country, but no one dares to ask about it," he continued.
However, Kazemi Qomi said, "We are a country that is affected by the developments in Afghanistan. So, if the Islamic Republic of Iran says something about benevolence, it is within the framework of the interests of the Afghan people and their political system, as well as the security of the region and our national security, and it is not interference at all.”
Qomi also stressed that there are no Shias in the Taliban government.
He explained, "The point is that the presence of Shias and other ethnic groups in the government is still not desirable for them."
He expressed hope to see a government with the representatives of all the people of Afghanistan.