U.N. political mission clarifies how it uses cash in Afghanistan

Afghanistan's central bank made "misleading and unhelpful" remarks about tens of millions of dollars in humanitarian aid, U.N. officials said.

The U.N. Assistance Mission in Afghanistan disputed the Taliban-controlled bank's portrayal of US$40 million in aid as if it had some say over the cash. UNAMA said it alone distributes the stacks of dollars pictured in the bank's tweet.

The United Nations ships the cash to Afghanistan and deposits them in private bank accounts controlled by the world body.

The dispute over how the money is characterized reflects the rising tension between the U.N. and the Taliban over its ban on women holding jobs or receiving education.