Affirms Coordination With The United States, Taliban Denies Establishing Relations With Al-Qaeda

US troops stand guard around Kabul airport. (Twitter/@DeptofDefense)

JAKARTA - The Taliban have confirmed their coordination in a 'working relationship' with the United States (US), while reiterating their statement that they have no ties to the Al-Qaeda group.

The Taliban said it had a working relationship with the US on security arrangements at Kabul International Airport Hamid Karzai, a member of the militant group's cultural commission told broadcaster Al-Jazeera.

According to Abdul Kahar Balchi, checkpoints outside the airport site are under militant control, while inside are controlled by US forces.

"They keep in touch with each other," said the spokesman, as quoted by the Daily Sabah Sunday, August 22.

He added that he regretted that many people rushed to the airport in an attempt to get out of Afghanistan. According to him, their fears and hysteria were unfounded, because the Taliban had issued a general amnesty, including for security forces.

Interestingly, Balchi further said that the Taliban had no intention of entering Kabul. Instead, the militants had planned to find a political solution before doing so. And is looking to establish a government with other powers. He said everyone was surprised by the speed with which the Taliban had progressed.

Since taking power in the country last Sunday, the Taliban have been slow to resume basic state functions. In part, they have asked former government employees to return to their positions. At the same time, talks are ongoing with other political forces to form a government.

However, how the state should be run in the future and what kind of government it should have remains largely unclear, with the Taliban last week saying the issue of governance would be announced soon.

Separately, Taliban spokesman Mohammed Naeem reiterated the Taliban's denial of having no ties to Al-Qaeda. Naeem said the terrorist group has no presence in Afghanistan.

He added that talks were ongoing with the United States and other countries on the situation in Afghanistan after they seized power in Kabul a week ago.