UK will not recognise Taliban but sees scope for dialogue: Raab

Foreign secretary’s comments in Doha come as he remains under fire over his handling of the crisis.

The United Kingdom will not recognise the Taliban but sees scope for dialogue, the British foreign secretary has said, adding that he is monitoring closely whether the hardline group lives up to its promises to maintain peace. During a diplomatic mission to Qatar to ensure the safe passage of the Britons and Afghans left behind, Dominic Raab said on Thursday that he was attempting to build a regional coalition to “exert the maximum moderating influence” on the Taliban as they “adjust to the new reality” of the group in power. The Taliban shocked Western leaders and observers with its rapid advance ahead of the American pullout on August 31.