In an effort to project legitimacy for the newly-assumed government of Afghanistan, Taliban leaders seek an invitation to the United National General Assembly in New York City, one of the sites struck by al Qaeda from their country on September 11, 2001, the Washington Post reports.
The Taliban sent the request to U.N. Secretary General António Guterres earlier this week asking that Mohammad Suhail Shaheen be recognized as the group’s permanent representative to the United Nations.
Since the Taliban took control of Afghanistan in late August, just prior to a US military withdrawal from the country, the new regime has attempted to gain recognition and legitimacy from foreign governments. No country has formally recognized the religious leaders as the legitimate representatives of Afghanistan, although some have contacted the declared leaders in Kabul in unofficial capacities.