Kabul, March 19 (TIWN) The Taliban-led government in Afghanistan on Saturday welcomed the extension of UN mission in the war-torn nation for another year.

The vote to extend the United Nations Assistance Mission for Afghanistan (UNAMA) was 14 in favor, with Russia abstaining.  The resolution allows the UN to continue work in Afghanistan, where a humanitarian situation has rapidly deteriorated since the Taliban returned to power in August.  The new mandate authorizes the mission to promote gender equality, empowerment of women and girls, human rights of all Afghans, and an inclusive and representative government. But it does not give the Taliban-led government international recognition.  No country has recognized the Taliban-led government largely because of its lack of attention to respect for human rights, particularly the rights of girls, women, and ethnic minorities.