British Defence Minister says UK will work with Taliban should they come to power

- Britain will work with the Taliban should they enter the government in Afghanistan, British Defence Minister Ben Wallace told the Daily Telegraph in an interview published on Tuesday, Report informs.

"Whatever the government of the day is, provided it adheres to certain international norms, the UK government will engage with it."

However, Wallace warned that Britain would review any relationship "if they behave in a way that is seriously against human rights."

In his interview with the newspaper, Wallace recognized that the prospect of the UK working with the Taliban would be controversial.

"What (the Taliban) desperately want is international recognition. They need to unlock financing and support (for) nation-building, and you don't do that with a terrorist balaclava on," he said.

"You have to be a partner for peace otherwise, and you risk isolation. Isolation led them to where they were last time", he added.

Taliban officials said last week the group had taken control of 85% of the territory in Afghanistan.