UN Chief Condemns Taliban's Unacceptable Conditions for Attending UN Meeting

The Taliban declined an invitation to a UN-sponsored meeting in Doha, setting conditions that were deemed unacceptable by UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, including restrictions on engaging with other Afghan representatives and demands resembling recognition. The meeting aimed to address various issues in Afghanistan, but the Taliban's absence highlighted the ongoing international dispute over the bans on female education and employment. Guterres emphasized the need to revoke these restrictions and called for clear consultations with the Taliban to address concerns and create a coordinated approach to engaging with the de facto authorities of Afghanistan.