KABUL - The UN Security Council renewed its sanctions regime against the Afghan Taliban but adapted it to help those on the blacklist who travel outside of Afghanistan for peace talks.

A number of diplomats are hoping that the relaxation of the requirements for travel exemptions for blacklisted Taliban members will promote reconciliatory talks in Afghanistan.

The move came at the recommendation of the Afghan government and a strong argument made by Salahuddin Rabbani, chairman of the High Peace Council, during recent meetings with the members of the Security Council.

The resolution "invites the government of Afghanistan, in close coordination with the High Peace Council, to submit for the committee's consideration the names of listed individuals for whom it confirms travel to such specified location or locations is necessary to participate in meetings in support of peace and reconciliation".

There are 132 individuals and four entities on the U.N. Security Council's sanctions list. Some diplomats hope the flexibility to grant travel exemptions will help induce moves toward peace and reconciliation in Afghanistan.
According to Mark Lyall Grant, the British Ambassador to the UN, the exemption from the travel ban among blacklisted Taliban members is an effective way of promoting the process of peace and reconciliation, which is important for Afghanistan in the next two years.

"It does that while sustaining proper oversight for the committee and it also sets the framework for closer co-operation between the Afghan government and sanctions committee," he added in a statement.

In the meantime France said on Sunday that officials from the Afghan government, the Taliban movement and other factions would meet this week near Paris to discuss the country's future. Foreign troops have started handing over security control to Afghan soldiers and police, a process due to be completed by the end of 2014.

The Taliban ran Afghanistan as an Islamic emirate from 1996 to 2001. It will be the first time they have taken part in a round-table of this kind since being overthrown by US-backed opponents following the deadly September 11, 2001 attacks in the United States. (KP)