UNITED NATIONS (Islamweb & News Agencies) - As rebel forces advanced on Kabul, the United Nations said on Monday it wanted Afghan politicians to meet within days, make interim arrangements for the Afghan capital and provide the nucleus for a broad-based government to replace the Taliban.Diplomats at the United Nations said they expected a meeting to take place in Europe, possibly in Geneva or Vienna, but a venue closer to Afghanistan was also possible.
Troops from Muslim countries such as Turkey, Bangladesh and Indonesia could help the Afghan politicians reimpose order in Kabul if the ruling Taliban collapse, but the United Nations would play mainly a supporting role, they added.
The anti-Taliban Northern Alliance, emboldened by five weeks of U.S. air strikes on the Taliban rulers, made dramatic advances on the ground over the weekend, putting the military campaign way ahead of arrangements for a future government.
On Monday dozens of Taliban tanks and armored personnel carriers raced out of Kabul when darkness fell, witnesses said. The opposition said it had broken through the front lines with backing from U.S. bombers and a fierce artillery barrage.
A sense of urgency to synchronize the military and political tracks dominated a meeting at the United Nations on Monday of foreign ministers from Russia, the United States and Afghanistan's six neighbors.