UN Envoy Meets with US-Wanted Afghan Interior Minister
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Although the Afghan Minister of Interior Sirajuddin Haqqani is wanted by the United States, the United Nations envoy meets with him to discuss several topics, with the humanitarian issue at the fore of their discussions.
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Afghan Minister of Interior, Sirajuddin Haqqani.
United Nations envoy Deborah Lyons met with the new Afghan Minister of Interior, Sirajuddin Haqqani, who had been on the FBI's 'most wanted' list for years.
The FBI is offering a reward of up to $10 million for anyone who discloses any information that could lead to his arrest.
"The meeting between the United Nations envoy and Sirajuddin Haqqani focused on humanitarian aid," said Suhail Shaheen, a Taliban spokesman.
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— Suhail Shaheen. Ù…Øمد سهیل شاهین (@suhailshaheen1) September 16, 2021
Sirajuddin Haqani, Minister of Interior, IEA, met Head of UNAMA Deborah Lyons and her delegation yesterday. They discussed the ongoing situation of Afghanistan and humanitarian aids. IEA Interior Minister stressed that UN personnel can conduct their work without any hurdle
"Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan Interior Minister stressed that UN personnel can conduct their work without any hurdle, and deliver vital aid to the Afghan people," he added.
Earlier this week, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said during an international aid conference that Afghans were facing "perhaps their most perilous hour."
The United Nations warned recently of the significant increase in the prices of basic commodities, stressing that there are concerns over food shortages, high inflation rates, and a devaluation in the national currency - all of which contribute to the exacerbation of the humanitarian emergency across the country.
In turn, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen pledged to increase humanitarian aid to Afghanistan, promising that the 27-nation union would stand by the Afghan people.
The situation in Afghanistan had deteriorated last month after the Taliban took full control of the country. That saw an obstruction in humanitarian aid and tens of thousands leaving the country, including aid and governmental workers, and the collapse of the economic situation in the country.
Al-Monitor reported that Afghanistan is one of the most at-risk, fragile countries in the world and that over half of Afghanistan's population is in poverty.
The Afghan central bank reported Wednesday that it had recovered $12.3 million from former governmental officials one month after the Taliban's rule began. The Taliban has claimed their commitment to transparency and their opposition to the former government's corruption.
