KABUL, Afghanistan (AP) Afghanistans Taliban rulers on Saturday ordered all Afghan women to wear head-to-toe clothing in public, a sharp hard-line pivot that confirmed the worst fears of rights activists and was bound to further complicate Taliban dealings with an already distrustful international community.

The decree, which calls for women to only show their eyes and recommends they wear the head-to-toe burqa, evoked similar restrictions on women during the Talibans previous rule between 1996 and 2001.

We want our sisters to live with dignity and safety, said Khalid Hanafi, acting minister for the Talibans vice and virtue ministry.