Iran's foreign minister called on the Taliban to adopt a "friendly" approach, during a meeting Wednesday of Afghanistan's six neighbouring countries to determine a "roadmap" following the Islamists' takeover of Kabul.&nbsp;

The meeting, two months after the Taliban swept to power in Kabul, brought the foreign ministers of Pakistan, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan and Turkmenistan to Tehran, while their Chinese and Russian counterparts joined via video-link.&nbsp;

"It is essential that the Taliban adopts a friendly approach towards its neighbours and takes the necessary measures to assure them that there is no threat to their neighbours from Afghanistan,"&nbsp;Iran's Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian said.

"I hope that we can paint a clearer picture of the realities of Afghanistan, and the expectations of the neighbouring countries most affected by the developments in that country, and develop a roadmap."

Afghanistan is on the cusp of a humanitarian crisis in which more than half the country could face "acute" food shortages this winter, UN agencies warned on Monday.

Addressing the meeting by video link, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said "We must find ways to avoid a total meltdown of the Afghan economy... and to help people survive".

Iran's First Vice-President Mohammad Mokhber warned of the impact surrounding nations faced from the situation in Afghanistan.

"If no solution is found as soon as possible to control and manage the economic crisis in Afghanistan, the crisis will certainly move beyond the borders of Afghanistan and affect its neighbours and the world," he said.

Iran, which shares a 900-kilometre (560-mile) border with Afghanistan, did not recognise the Taliban during their 1996 to 2001 stint in power.

But Tehran has appeared to soften its tough stance in recent times in the name of pragmatism.

"The Islamic Republic of&nbsp;Iran&nbsp;insists on the establishment of an inclusive government with the presence and effective participation of all ethnic and religious groups in Afghanistan, based on inter-Afghan dialogue without the intervention of foreign actors," Amir-Abdollahian said.

Guterres in his address pointed to the need for inclusivity "and representative government, that respects international humanitarian law".

The Taliban formed an all-male cabinet made up entirely of members of the group, and almost exclusively of ethnic Pashtuns. It has severely restricted women's rights to work and study, prompting widespread international condemnation.

"The Taliban must play an undeniable role in assuring security, countering terrorism and respecting the rights of diverse groups, including women," Amir-Abdollahian said.

He added the Taliban must work on "providing the basic needs of Afghan citizens, putting an end to abuse of ethnic and religious minorities, eradicating the causes that led to the displacement of part of the population and respecting international law".

Iran's foreign minister called on the Taliban to adopt a "friendly" approach, during a meeting Wednesday of Afghanistan's six neighbouring countries to determine a "roadmap" following the Islamists' takeover of Kabul.

Iran's foreign minister called on the Taliban to adopt a "friendly" approach, during a meeting Wednesday of Afghanistan's six neighbouring countries to determine a "roadmap" following the Islamists' takeover of Kabul. The meeting, two months after the Taliban swept to power in Kabul, brought the foreign ministers of Pakistan, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan and Turkmenistan to Tehran, while their Chinese and Russian counterparts joined via video-link. "It is essential that the Taliban adopts a friendly approach towards its neighbours and takes the necessary measures to assure them that there is no threat to their neighbours from Afghanistan," Iran's Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian said. "I hope that we can paint a clearer picture of the realities of Afghanistan, and the expectations of the neighbouring countries most affected by the developments in that country, and develop a roadmap." Afghanistan is on the cusp of a humanitarian crisis in which more than half the country could face "acute" food shortages this winter, UN agencies warned on Monday. Addressing the meeting by video link, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said "We must find ways to avoid a total meltdown of the Afghan economy... and to help people survive". Iran's First Vice-President Mohammad Mokhber warned of the impact surrounding nations faced from the situation in Afghanistan. "If no solution is found as soon as possible to control and manage the economic crisis in Afghanistan, the crisis will certainly move beyond the borders of Afghanistan and affect its neighbours and the world," he said. Iran, which shares a 900-kilometre (560-mile) border with Afghanistan, did not recognise the Taliban during their 1996 to 2001 stint in power. But Tehran has appeared to soften its tough stance in recent times in the name of pragmatism. "The Islamic Republic of Iran insists on the establishment of an inclusive government with the presence and effective participation of all ethnic and religious groups in Afghanistan, based on inter-Afghan dialogue without the intervention of foreign actors," Amir-Abdollahian said. Guterres in his address pointed to the need for inclusivity "and representative government, that respects international humanitarian law". The Taliban formed an all-male cabinet made up entirely of members of the group, and almost exclusively of ethnic Pashtuns. It has severely restricted women's rights to work and study, prompting widespread international condemnation. "The Taliban must play an undeniable role in assuring security, countering terrorism and respecting the rights of diverse groups, including women," Amir-Abdollahian said. He added the Taliban must work on "providing the basic needs of Afghan citizens, putting an end to abuse of ethnic and religious minorities, eradicating the causes that led to the displacement of part of the population and respecting international law".

Taliban should adopt friendly approach towards its neighbours: Iran

As the Taliban tightens its grip over <a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/several-rockets-fired-towards-kabul-airport-intercepted-by-us-defence-system-report-409275">Afghanistan</a>, the group's leaders are now coming to the forefront to build their regime after living years in exile.

Reports say the Taliban's supreme leader Hibatullah Akhundzada, who has never made a public appearance and whose whereabouts have largely remained unknown, is currently in Kandahar.

According to the Taliban, Akhundzada has been living in Kandahar from the very beginning and is likely to make a public appearance soon.

Watch:

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/afghanistan-the-taliban-to-announce-new-cabinet-in-2-weeks-409207/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

The so-called commander of the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/how-terror-group-isis-k-grew-in-afghanistan-while-fighting-taliban-us-409189">Taliban</a>, Akhundzada has guided the militant organisation as its chief since 2016 when he was appointed to oversee the movement.

Akhundzada's absence follows years of rumours about his health, with many suggesting he had contracted coronavirus or had been killed in a military offensive. However, those reports have turned out to be false.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/watch-taliban-militants-surround-tv-anchor-during-news-show-as-video-goes-viral-409309">Watch: Taliban militants surround TV anchor during news show as video goes viral</a>

Despite his powerful position, very little information is available about Akhundzada's day-to-day role with his public profile largely limited to the release of annual messages during Islamic holidays.

The Taliban has a long history of keeping its top leaders away from the public eye. The group's founder Mullah Mohammad Omar was notorious for his reclusive ways and rarely travelled to Kabul when the group was in power in the 1990s.

A report earlier had said Akhundzada&nbsp;would likely remain overall in charge in the country even as the Taliban seek&nbsp;to create a ruling council with Akhundzada likely to play a key role in the council.

(With inputs from Agencies)

As the Taliban tightens its grip over Afghanistan, the group's leaders are now coming to the forefront to build their regime after living years in exile. Reports say the Taliban's supreme leader Hibatullah Akhundzada, who has never made a public appearance and whose whereabouts have largely remained unknown, is currently in Kandahar.

As the Taliban tightens its grip over Afghanistan, the group's leaders are now coming to the forefront to build their regime after living years in exile. Reports say the Taliban's supreme leader Hibatullah Akhundzada, who has never made a public appearance and whose whereabouts have largely remained unknown, is currently in Kandahar. According to the Taliban, Akhundzada has been living in Kandahar from the very beginning and is likely to make a public appearance soon. Watch: The so-called commander of the Taliban, Akhundzada has guided the militant organisation as its chief since 2016 when he was appointed to oversee the movement. Akhundzada's absence follows years of rumours about his health, with many suggesting he had contracted coronavirus or had been killed in a military offensive. However, those reports have turned out to be false. Watch: Taliban militants surround TV anchor during news show as video goes viral Despite his powerful position, very little information is available about Akhundzada's day-to-day role with his public profile largely limited to the release of annual messages during Islamic holidays. The Taliban has a long history of keeping its top leaders away from the public eye. The group's founder Mullah Mohammad Omar was notorious for his reclusive ways and rarely travelled to Kabul when the group was in power in the 1990s. A report earlier had said Akhundzada would likely remain overall in charge in the country even as the Taliban seek to create a ruling council with Akhundzada likely to play a key role in the council. (With inputs from Agencies)

Hibatullah Akhundzada: Taliban's reclusive leader set to play key role in Afghanistan

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Taliban should adopt friendly approach towards its neighbours: Iran

Hibatullah Akhundzada: Taliban's reclusive leader set to play key role in Afghanistan