The Taliban nominated a U.N. ambassador to represent Afghanistan Tuesday, complicating the already delicate diplomatic predicament in the global organization.
The nomination, which was submitted to Secretary General António Guterres on Monday, raises concerns about the violent movement occupying an ambassador’s seat, the New York Times reports.
Stéphane Dujarric, a spokesman for Guterres, confirmed that the secretary general had been notified of the request in a letter signed by Amir Khan Muttaqi, the movement’s foreign minister.
The letter said that the Taliban’s ambassador choice was Suhail Shaheen, the Taliban spokesman. It added that Muttaqi wants to speak at the General Assembly, which ends next Monday.
The request has been forwarded to the General Assembly’s Credentials Committee.