Taliban says girls to return to school 'soon as possible'

Zabihullah Mujahid, chief spokesman for the Taliban, announces the group's new appointment during a Kabul press conference

Afghan women have effectively been barred from work and school

The Taliban said on Tuesday Afghan girls will be allowed to return to school "as soon as possible", after their movement faced international fury over their effective exclusion of women and girls from education and work. 

"The work is continuing over the issues of education and work of women and girls," Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid said at a press conference, saying schools will reopen "as soon as possible", without providing a timeframe.