The Taliban are intensifying consultations on forming a new government in Afghanistan, while France and Britain are preparing to present a draft resolution to the UN Security Council calling for the establishment of a safe zone in Kabul.

Al-Jazeera correspondent in Kandahar (southern Afghanistan) reported that the head of the Taliban's political office, Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar, arrived in the city, accompanied by a number of the movement's leaders.

Sources told Al-Jazeera that the visit of this delegation aims to hold consultations with leaders of the movement and local actors on efforts to form the next government in Afghanistan, and the sources added that Taliban officials will come from the Pakistani city of Quetta for the same purpose.

She added that the head of the Movement's Call and Guidance Committee, Amir Khan Muttaki, in turn arrived in Helmand (southern Afghanistan) to hold similar consultations.

The head of the political bureau of the Taliban went about 10 days ago to Kabul from Kandahar, and held a series of consultations in an effort to form a new government, which the Taliban promised to be an inclusive government.

For his part, Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid denied - in a statement to Al Jazeera - setting a date for forming the government or speaking in this regard with anyone, stressing that the movement will conduct a round of consultations with various parties for further coordination regarding the conduct of the government's work.

There were reports attributed to a Taliban spokesman as saying that the government would be formed within a week.

For his part, spokesman for the Political Bureau of the Taliban, Muhammad Naim, said - on Twitter - that a delegation from the political office of the movement met with various political figures, tribal sheikhs, journalists and activists in Kabul.

Naim added in another tweet that the delegation of the Political Bureau assured everyone of their security and safety, and listened to their views and suggestions regarding the future of the country.


Safe area in Kabul

On the other hand, with the deadline for the withdrawal of foreign forces from Afghanistan on August 31, France and Britain intend to present a draft resolution at an emergency session of the UN Security Council on Afghanistan tomorrow, Monday, proposing the establishment of a safe zone in Kabul for those wishing to leave the country.

In an interview with Le Journal du Dimanche published on Sunday, French President Emmanuel Macron said that the bill he is proposing aims to designate a safe zone in Kabul under the authority of the United Nations, allowing for the continuation of humanitarian operations.

He added that ensuring the exit of civilians after the current evacuations ended is one of the preconditions for any relationship between France and the Taliban.

For his part, British Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab - in an article to be published today in the newspaper "The Sunday Telegraph" - threatened to impose sanctions on the Taliban movement through the United Nations and the British regime, if the movement does not provide a safe passage for the exit of the remaining British and Afghans. to neighboring countries.

In this context, British Prime Minister Boris Johnson said that the last batch of his country's forces left Kabul after 20 years of military presence there, and pledged that Britain would maintain with all its diplomatic and humanitarian tools what was achieved in Afghanistan since 2001.

Johnson and German Chancellor Angela Merkel agreed on the need for international aid and the adoption of a common approach by the Group of Seven to the government that will take over the affairs of Afghanistan in the future.


recognition of the Taliban

A British statement said that Johnson stressed that any recognition of the Taliban and any dealings with them must be conditional on allowing safe passage for those who want to leave the country and on their respect for human rights.

In the same context, The Washington Post quoted officials as saying that US President Joe Biden plans to withdraw his country's ambassador and diplomats from Kabul by tomorrow, Tuesday, and that his administration's decision to recognize the Taliban government may take some time.

On the other hand, Zamir Kabulov, the special envoy of Russian President Vladimir Putin to Afghanistan, stressed that Moscow will have to build relations with the new government in Afghanistan, noting that it has been seeking to do so for 8 years.