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UN debates lifting sanctions on Afghan ex-Taliban UN moves on lifting sanctions from Afghan ex-Taliban
(about 6 hours later)
By Shahzeb Jillani BBC News The UN Security Council is expected to separate Taliban and al-Qaeda figures on a sanctions blacklist in a step towards removing ex-Taliban members.
The UN Security Council is meeting to consider the removal of a number of former Taliban figures in Afghanistan from a UN sanctions blacklist.
Western diplomats say the move is aimed at supporting President Hamid Karzai's efforts for a political settlement to the conflict in Afghanistan.Western diplomats say the move is aimed at supporting President Hamid Karzai's efforts for a political settlement to the conflict in Afghanistan.
The council will vote on two resolutions - one aimed at the Taliban and the other focusing on al-Qaeda. The UN has been asked by Kabul to remove about 50 former Taliban figures from the sanctions blacklist.
The sanctions blacklist was formed more than 10 years ago. The list, formed more than 10 years ago, contains about 450 names.
It consists of about 450 individuals and entities linked to the Taliban and al-Qaeda - fewer than one-third of whom are believed to be Taliban-related. Fewer than one-third of those names - of individuals and entities - are believed to be Taliban-related.
When the blacklist was drawn up, all sorts of anti-Western militants were grouped together as equally dangerous. When the blacklist was drawn up, all sorts of anti-Western militants were grouped together as equally dangerous, says the BBC's Shahzeb Jillani.
A decade on, and there has been a re-think - largely driven by the need to bring the conflict to an end somehow.A decade on, and there has been a re-think - largely driven by the need to bring the conflict to an end somehow.
The need for two separate resolutions has a symbolic significance - it is a recognition on the part of the UN that the two groups have different agendas, and hence should be treated differently. The move is a recognition on the part of the UN that the two groups have different agendas, and hence should be treated differently, Shahzeb Jillani adds.
The Taliban are focused on fighting coalition-led forces in Afghanistan, while al-Qaeda's main focus has always been global jihad.The Taliban are focused on fighting coalition-led forces in Afghanistan, while al-Qaeda's main focus has always been global jihad.
Western diplomats say that with the death of Osama Bin Laden there is now a new opportunity to encourage the Taliban to break ranks with al-Qaeda and join the political process.Western diplomats say that with the death of Osama Bin Laden there is now a new opportunity to encourage the Taliban to break ranks with al-Qaeda and join the political process.
Friday's vote is a step in that direction.
But the big question remains - how much credibility will those de-listed from the UN's blacklist really have in the Taliban's ranks?
If not much then, by itself, today's move is unlikely to help President Karzai greatly in his efforts for reconciliation.