UK in talks with Taliban over further evacuations

"The Prime Minister's special representative for Afghan transition, Simon Gass, has travelled to Doha and is meeting with senior Taliban representatives to underline the importance of safe passage out of Afghanistan for British nationals, and those Afghans who have worked with us over the past 20 years," the BBC quoted a government spokesman as saying.

The UK is reportedly in talks with the Taliban over furthering the evacuation process and securing a safe passage out of Afghanistan for British nationals and Afghans who remain there.

"The Prime Minister's special representative for Afghan transition, Simon Gass, has travelled to Doha and is meeting with senior Taliban representatives to underline the importance of safe passage out of Afghanistan for British nationals, and those Afghans who have worked with us over the past 20 years," the BBC quoted a government spokesman as saying.

Advertisement

Also Read | 'Right, wise and the best decision': Joe Biden defends US troop pullout from Afghanistan | Watch

It comes after a Taliban pledge to allow further departures.

Advertisement

As per an official statement by the UK government, over 17,000 people had been evacuated by the UK from Afghanistan so far, including over 5,000 UK nationals.

Meanwhile, on Tuesday, the Taliban deployed its special forces at the Kabul airport hours after the last batch of US troops left Afghanistan.

Advertisement

The final evacuation flight of the US was conducted in the last hours of Monday night, airlifting their military and non-military personnel back home, one day before the August 31 deadline.

Also Read | The conundrum of rights and entitlements: The South China Sea Issue

Advertisement

The British troops had left the country over the weekend.

The Taliban have promised those with authorisation will be allowed to leave the country.

Advertisement

Advertisement