KABUL: Taliban supreme leader Mullah Hibatullah Akhundzada said on Sunday the group sought “strong” diplomatic, political and economic ties with the world, including the United States, after the withdrawal of foreign forces, and preferred a political settlement in Afghanistan despite capturing large swathes of territory in recent weeks.

The Taliban have overrun dozens of districts in Afghanistan since the start of the final phase of the withdrawal of US and NATO troops, after a 20-year military presence. The US says its withdrawal is 95% complete.

“In spite of the military gains and advances, the Taliban strenuously favors a political settlement in the country, and every opportunity for the establishment of an Islamic system, peace and security," Akhundzada said in his message ahead of the Muslim religious holiday of Eid Al-Adha next week. 

He added that the Taliban sought “good and strong diplomatic, economic and political relations in the framework of reciprocal interaction and mutual agreements with all world countries, including America, following the withdrawal of all foreign forces.”

Akhundzada said the establishment of the Taliban’s political office in Doha in 2013 was aimed at finding a peaceful settlement with Afghan government delegates and national leaders, but accused them of “wasting time” since US-sponsored intra-Afghan talks began in Qatar in September.

Akhundzada, whose whereabouts have been kept a secret by the Taliban, reiterated in his message that based on the deal with Washington, the Taliban would not permit “anyone to pose a security threat to any other country using our soil."

He said the Taliban did not want enmity with local factions provided they accepted the group's demand for “a pure Islamic system." He, however, vowed to “pay particular attention to and strive to create an appropriate environment for female education within the framework of sublime Islamic law."

The group imposed repressive policies on women when it ruled Afghanistan for five years until its government was toppled after the US invasion of the country in 2001.

Since then, Afghan women have regained the right to education, voting, and working outside their homes.