The Hill: UN urges release of Afghanistan's frozen assets to prevent 'severe economic downturn'
The United Nations on Thursday called for Afghanistan’s frozen assets to be released to avoid a "a severe economic downturn,” two days after the Taliban formed an interim government, Reuters reported.
"The economy must be allowed to breathe for a few more months, giving the Taliban a chance to demonstrate flexibility and a genuine will to do things differently this time, notably from a human rights, gender, and counter-terrorism perspective," Deborah Lyons, the U.N. secretary-general’s special representative for Afghanistan, said to the security council.
Lyons also addressed worries that the Taliban would wrongly use the funds, saying safeguards should be placed around the assets.
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Update: U.N. warns Afghanistan needs money to prevent total breakdown (Reuters)
WNU Editor: After saying that all Afghan funds should be unfrozen, an admission from the UN that they are concerned about the safety of their staff from the Taliban .... U.N. says Afghan staff increasingly harassed, intimidated since Taliban takeover (Reuters).