*KABUL: *The Afghan Taliban rescinded a months-long ban on theInternational Committee for Red Cross (ICRC) working in areas under theircontrol Sunday and restored security guarantees for those working for theorganisation.

The militants and the ICRC “consented to following the old agreement on topof new promises in humanitarian aid leading to the Islamic Emirate grantingICRC permission of resuming their activities,” said Taliban spokesmanZabihullah Mujahid in a statement.

Taliban fighters were instructed to “pave the way for ICRC activities andbe mindful of security to this committee’s workers and equipment,” it added.

In April the insurgents banned both the ICRC and World Health Organization(WHO) from carrying out relief activities in areas under their control andrevoked security guarantees.

The Taliban did not mention the WHO in the announcement, which it said camefollowing talks with ICRC in Doha.

In August last year, the Taliban temporarily withdrew safety guarantees forthe ICRC, accusing the international group of failing to meet its missionobligations to monitor detention conditions in Afghan jails and providemedical aid to Taliban prisoners.

As fears of increased violence soar with presidential elections approachinglater this month, Afghan troops and Taliban insurgents have been engaged inheavy exchanges across Afghanistan, with several militant-controlleddistricts in the far north falling to government forces.

The Taliban continue to strike Afghan installations at will after themilitants issued their own vow to continue fighting after US PresidentDonald Trump abruptly cancelled negotiations that aimed to pave the way foran American withdrawal from Afghanistan following 18 years of war. -APP/AFP