Mullah Mohammad Hasan Akhund and Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar. (L-R) (Source: timesofindia)

Earlier, the Taliban announced they were ready to establish relations with the US for their mutual benefit, and welcomed the possibility of the US participating in the reconstruction of Afghanistan. The Taliban is willing to establish ties with every country except Israel, a spokesman said Tuesday.

Russia said Tuesday it has not made any decision about officially recognizing the Taliban government and will be monitoring the situation in Afghanistan closely.