Taliban Spokesman to Asharq Al-Awsat: Sharia Rule Not up for Debate

The Taliban’s official spokesman, Zabiullah Mujahid, speaks to the media after the movement's takeover of Afghanistan on August 24, 2021. (AFP)
The Taliban’s official spokesman, Zabiullah Mujahid, speaks to the media after the movement's takeover of Afghanistan on August 24, 2021. (AFP)
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Taliban Spokesman to Asharq Al-Awsat: Sharia Rule Not up for Debate

The Taliban’s official spokesman, Zabiullah Mujahid, speaks to the media after the movement's takeover of Afghanistan on August 24, 2021. (AFP)
The Taliban’s official spokesman, Zabiullah Mujahid, speaks to the media after the movement's takeover of Afghanistan on August 24, 2021. (AFP)

For several years, the Taliban’s official spokesman, Zabiullah Mujahid, had avoided appearing in the media, while still racking up hundreds of thousands of followers on social media as he posted live military updates about the war and various developments.

Days after the Taliban captured Kabul, and the collapse of the US-backed government, Zabiullah appeared on television for a surprise press conference live from the Afghan capital. Many sources have speculated that he will be name media minster of the Taliban’s “Islamic Emirate” that will be declared in the coming days.

Asharq Al-Awsat had interviewed Zabiullah on three previous occasions. During one of those talks in 2015, he confirmed the death of Mullah Omar, the founder of the Taliban, two years earlier. He revealed during the interview that a new of emir of the movement had been running the emirate for five years before his official appointment.

In the last ten days of the war, Zabiullah made announcements over the fall of a city in the hands of the Taliban. His updates on social media effectively turned him into the media minister of the conflict that the Taliban was rapidly winning.

With the war over, Sheikh Zabiullah, as he is known, will have a new mission of convincing the Afghan people and international community that the Taliban is capable of transitioning from the battlefield to peaceful rule.

Days after the Taliban’s takeover of Afghanistan, Zabiullah responded to a request by Asharq Al-Awsat for an interview during which he stressed that the movement is seeking security and reconstruction in the country that has been ravaged by war for decades.

Asked about United Nations claims that the “Emirate” had sought retribution against Afghans, including intelligence, police and armed forces, who had aided foreign troops during the war, Zabiullah replied that a general amnesty was issued for the figures named in the UN report.

The mujahidin of the “Emirate” are committed to executing the orders of their leadership, but the amnesty is not absolute, he added. It does not include underground operatives, who have stored weapons and explosives and are organized and enjoy a military and intelligence background.

Zabiullah said the Taliban is responsible for protecting innocent civilians. This responsibility cannot be swayed by political and media extortion.

The Taliban deals with all sides, both inside and outside Afghanistan, with good intentions as long as the gesture is reciprocated by the other. This approach will not change unless the other changes its behavior, which should be based on mutual respect and common interests.

Asked to explain the Taliban’s rapid takeover of Afghanistan in a matter of days, he replied that the victory was not swift. He dismissed those assertions as media exaggeration that is used for political purposes.

The fighting, he clarified, had lasted for 20 years. This is in no way a rapid victory. Given the Taliban’s modest means, it had to resort to exhausting the enemy. This needed time and prolonging the fight. The longer it lasted, the more determined the movement became and it started to reap gains and make advances on the ground.

It is natural for the Taliban to emerge from the war in a stronger position and for the enemy to be weakened, said Zabiullah. Moreover, he added that the movement had managed to seize advanced weapons and equipment from the enemy.

On the sudden collapse of the capital, he attributed it to the enemy’s realization that defeat was imminent, so they despaired and their morale dipped.

He asserted that the war was very long. Twenty years is not a short time, but American media influences world media, so it speaks of a rapid collapse, which is far from the truth.

On the post-war scenario, Zabiullah stated that the Taliban is seeking to achieve security in the country and reassure all sides. This will then be followed by reconstruction.

Asked about the new government’s prospective relations with Arab and Islamic countries, he replied that he hoped those countries would be up to the Taliban’s expectations. He hoped that they would realize that the victory against the Americans and their allies is a victory for all Arabs and Muslims, adding that the Taliban was looking forward to their faithful help in rebuilding Afghanistan.

On the country he believes is most aligned with the Taliban’s views, Zabiullah said it is not essential for it to agree to everything the movement does. Rather it is important that such a country does not obstruct the movement’s implementation of Sharia law and would instead support Afghanistan’s stability and the security of its people, who have long suffered from war.



UN Deputy Special Coordinator to Asharq Al-Awsat: Humanitarian Situation in Lebanon is ‘Catastrophic’

Imran Riza, the UN’s Deputy Special Coordinator, Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator for Lebanon (Asharq Al-Awsat)
Imran Riza, the UN’s Deputy Special Coordinator, Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator for Lebanon (Asharq Al-Awsat)
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UN Deputy Special Coordinator to Asharq Al-Awsat: Humanitarian Situation in Lebanon is ‘Catastrophic’

Imran Riza, the UN’s Deputy Special Coordinator, Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator for Lebanon (Asharq Al-Awsat)
Imran Riza, the UN’s Deputy Special Coordinator, Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator for Lebanon (Asharq Al-Awsat)

One of the UN’s top humanitarian officials in Lebanon, Imran Riza, has warned that the situation will worsen if the conflict continues, calling for an immediate ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah.

He stressed that the ongoing war is placing immense strain on both the UN and the Lebanese government, as over a million people have been displaced. He said current needs exceed $400 million, but only 12% of that amount has been raised so far.

Worsening Crisis

Riza, who is the UN Deputy Special Coordinator for Lebanon, UN Resident, and Humanitarian Coordinator for Lebanon, spoke to Asharq Al-Awsat. He described the past two weeks as “catastrophic” for civilians, with the crisis growing over the last year.

More than 600,000 people have been displaced and over a million affected, with 300,000 crossing the border, according to Riza.

Many of these people have been displaced more than once in search of safety. Riza emphasized that the war has severely impacted civilians, with more than a quarter of Lebanon's population affected.

The UN has been working to address the crisis, but Riza said resources are limited.

He stressed that the UN has been saying all year that it doesn’t have enough funds, even when there were only 110,000 displaced people.

Last week, the UN launched a $426 million appeal for urgent humanitarian aid, with 12% of the funding already secured.

Riza said more support is expected, with donor countries pledging additional help.

He also expressed gratitude for contributions from the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), which provided medical and relief supplies, and said the UN hopes to see more international assistance soon.

Working with the Government

The UN is working closely with the Lebanese government every day to provide shelter, food, healthcare, and water to those in need.

Cooperation with the government has been excellent, said Riza.

However, he acknowledged that the government’s capacity is weakened after five years of ongoing crises, which have also severely impacted the population.

People are less resilient than they were during the 2006 war, and the government and its institutions are weaker, affirmed Riza.

The UN is helping the government respond effectively, ensuring transparency and accountability, so that aid reaches those who need it, he added.

The UN is also collaborating with local and international NGOs that have gained experience from Lebanon’s recent crises, helping to ensure a more effective response. Shelters are also being monitored to prevent any abuse.

A Different Reality from 2006

The current situation in Lebanon is very different from the 2006 war. Politically, the country now has a caretaker government and no president, with much less international presence.

Back then, other countries were more involved, said Riza.

The 2006 war lasted only 33 days, but this conflict has dragged on for a year, he noted.

During recent visits to southern border areas, Riza said locals were asking when the war would end, as the situation has worsened significantly in the past two weeks.

Riza noted that, in the first week of the crisis, it was extremely difficult to respond, and even now, many displaced people remain without shelter.

The UN is working with the government to provide shelter, food, and healthcare, but it’s not easy, he noted.

Displacement Crisis

With winter approaching, Riza stressed the need to properly house displaced people, saying that people can’t be left without shelter.

There are also concerns over a lack of housing, clean water, and sanitation, as well as the risk of disease outbreaks. Despite these challenges, Riza praised the close cooperation between the UN, international organizations, and partners.

Many agencies are responding, he asserted.

Riza rejected any claims of discrimination between displaced groups, noting that both Lebanese and Syrians are currently staying in UNRWA schools. He added that talks with the government about sheltering displaced Syrians have been positive.

Riza also expressed concern about the school year and children’s education.

Prolonged Conflict

The United Nations sees no immediate solution to the humanitarian and military crisis in Lebanon, with Riza stressing that the solution must be political and diplomatic, but first, a ceasefire is needed.

While there is little optimism for an end to the conflict, Riza said, the UN is encouraged by the support from its partners, which helps the organization assist the displaced.

He mentioned the recent evacuation of 1,000 people from Ain Ebel and aid distribution in Tyre, emphasizing the need to ensure that they reach those in need.

Riza called on all sides to respect international and humanitarian laws, allowing safe access for aid workers.

He condemned violations, including the deaths of firefighters, health workers, civil defense staff, and UN personnel, adding that the toll on civilian and health infrastructure is growing.