China stresses counterterrorism; IEA rules out use of Afghan soil — Pajhwok

KABUL (Pajhwok): China has stressed the need to combat terrorist threats, expand regional cooperation and support Afghanistan’s economic recovery, while the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan (IEA) says it will not allow Afghan soil to be used against any other country. Sun Lei, China’s deputy permanent representative and chargé d’affaires at its UN mission, urged the IEA to firmly combat all “terrorist groups” and prevent Afghanistan from again becoming a haven for terrorism, referring to the UN secretary-general’s report on terrorist groups. He also stressed that the international community should help address factors contributing to the spread of terrorism by supporting Afghanistan’s economic recovery and improving people’s livelihoods. Lei said China supports greater cooperation between Central Asian countries and regional organisations, including the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO), with Afghanistan to counter “cross-border terrorist” threats. Meanwhile, IEA chief spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid, responding to a UN Security Council meeting on threats posed by terrorist activities to international peace and security, told the media that the IEA’s position was clear: Afghanistan would not allow its territory to be used against any country.