KABUL, 18 August 2021, (TON): The Taliban held their first official news conference in Kabul since the shock seizure of the city, declaring they wanted peaceful relations with other countries and would respect the rights of women within the framework of Islamic law.

The movement's main spokesman, Zabihullah Mujahid, said “we don't want any internal or external enemies.”

Mujahid, who until now had been a shadowy figure issuing statements on behalf of theTaliban, said women would be allowed to work and study and “will be very active in society but within the framework of Islam”.

The Taliban would not seek retribution against former soldiers and members of the Western-backed government, he said, insisting that "everyone is forgiven."

He added that the movement was granting an amnesty for former Afghan government soldiers as well as contractors and translators who worked for international forces.

He said “nobody is going to harm you, nobody is going to knock on your doors.”

He added that a new government would be formalised as soon as the unstable conditions in Kabul permitted.