UN council urges inclusive talks on new Afghan government

By EDITH M. LEDERER
Associated Press

UNITED NATIONS (AP) — The U.N. Security Council is calling for an immediate end to violence in Afghanistan following the Taliban takeover of the country and inclusive talks to form a new government that includes women. The council on Monday issued its first statement since the ouster of the U.S.-backed government in Kabul. The council stressed that Afghan territory should not be used by the Taliban or any other group “to threaten or attack any country.” U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres urged international unity to ensure human rights and combat terrorism. He says that the “world is following events in Afghanistan with a heavy heart and deep disquiet about what lies ahead.”