Kabul — Amir Khan Muttaqi, acting foreign minister of the new Taliban government, on Tuesday urged the international community to continue providing assistance to the Afghan people.

“We request the world to continue their humanitarian aid to Afghans. The people of Afghanistan still need assistance and cooperation from the world,” Muttaqi told reporters.

“We appeal from all countries, which were involved in assisting Afghans in fields of education, health, refugees, and the struggle against the drought, to continue their support in the mentioned fields,” he said.

They should not combine the “humanitarian issues with the political issues,” he said.

He also urged all foreign aid workers who left Afghanistan before the Taliban’s takeover of the capital Kabul on Aug. 15 or in recent weeks to return to the country.

“There is no war and clashes in Afghanistan. All Afghans and foreigners holding legal documents who left Afghanistan, can return without any fears. They can restart their operations in every field and provide services. Security and safety will be ensured for all aid workers,” he said.

He made the remarks one day after a United Nations meeting on Afghanistan in Geneva reportedly announced 1 billion U.S. dollars of aid to Afghanistan to be channeled through aid agencies and non-governmental organizations.

“We are thankful for recent announcement of 1 billion U.S. dollars pledged in Geneva,” he said, adding Afghanistan wants good bilateral and economic ties with countries around the world. (Xinhua)