WASHINGTON, Nov 27: The United States is opposed to and has lobbied Russia and other countries against recognizing the de facto Northern Alliance government in Kabul because it is not a “viable” authority, a senior US official said on Tuesday.

“We’ve had some concern about countries not rushing to establish diplomatic relations with the so-called Rabbani government on the basis that we do not see this as something that is going to be viable,” the official said.

The official, speaking to reporters on condition of anonymity at the state department, referred to Burhanuddin Rabbani, the former Afghan president who is recognized as the country’s leader by the United Nations.—AFP