KABUL (Anadolu) – A diplomat appointed by the Taliban as their charge d’affairs in Russia has taken office, an official with the interim Afghan administration confirmed. Abdul Qahar Balkhi, a Foreign Ministry Spokesman, thanked Moscow for “accrediting the Afghan diplomat” and “facilitating the role of the Afghan Embassy in ensuring bilateral relations”, Anadolu news agency reported. The U.S. and its allies withdrew their troops from Afghanistan after 20 years of occupation, and the Taliban took power as the U.S.-backed government collapsed last August. The Taliban-led interim government has yet to be recognized by the international community.