Reuters
A Taliban-run gathering of thousands of male religious and ethnic leaders ended on Saturday by asking foreign governments to formally recognise their administration, but made no signals of changes on international demands such as the opening of girls' high schools. The Afghan economy has plunged into crisis as Westerngovernments have withdrawn funding and strictly enforcedsanctions, saying the Taliban government needs to changecourse on human rights, especially those of women. "We ask regional and international countries, especially Islamic countries … to recognise the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan ... release all sanctions, unfreeze (central bank) funds and support in development of Afghanistan," the gathering's participants said in a statement, using the group's name for their government, which has not been formally recognised by any country.