UN Lifts Sanctions Against 14 Ex-Taliban

Posted July 15th, 2011 at 9:40 pm (UTC-5)
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The United Nations Security Council has removed 14 former Taliban members from its sanctions list.

The de-listing, announced Friday, is seen as key to getting the insurgent group to participate in peace talks with the Afghan government.

Kabul had urged the U.N. sanctions committee to take off the list a number of former Taliban members who the government believes have given up militancy.

Among those free of sanctions are four members of the High Peace Council set up by Afghan authorities last September to pave the way for talks.

The action follows the Security Council's recent decision to treat al-Qaida and the Taliban separately when it comes to U.N. sanctions.