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Afghan PM gives speech after three months

AAPDeutsche Presse Agentur
Afghan state-run TV has released an audio message from Prime Minister Mohammad Hassan Akhund.
Camera IconAfghan state-run TV has released an audio message from Prime Minister Mohammad Hassan Akhund. Credit: EPA

The Taliban's de facto prime minister Mohammad Hassan Akhund has addressed the country in a pre-recorded audio message nearly three months after his appointment.

Akhund's long-awaited message was released by state-run television on Saturday evening after repeated criticism for his failure to speak during official meetings.

In his speech, Akhund said Taliban forces had fulfilled their promises by continuing their fight against foreign forces until the establishment of an Islamic government and the stabilisation of the country.

He further claimed that famine, unemployment and the spike in prices had existed in the country before the Taliban's takeover.

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He called on the public to be thankful for the Taliban regime.

The Taliban prime minister stated that the country's economic crisis would be resolved if about $US9 billion ($A13 billion) of the Afghan central bank reserves, which are mostly parked in the United States, are released.

Millions of Afghans have lost their main source of income following the collapse of the foreign-backed Afghan government in August.

UN agencies have warned of a humanitarian crisis in the country.

No country has officially recognised the Taliban government.

The international community is calling on the Taliban to form a broadly representative government and respect human and women's rights.

Akhund claimed his government was inclusive and that women's rights were being respected.

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