Germany, Turkey, US talk with Taliban on evacuation deadline

KABUL (Pajhwok): Germany, Turkey, the US and Taliban have discussed keeping the Kabul airport open beyond August 31 deadline to evacuate more Afghans from Afghanistan.

German Foreign Minister Heiko Maas told the media on Monday that leaders of G7 member countries should coordinate evacuation from Kabul airport and think about extending the evacuation deadline beyond August 31.

He said that Germany, US, Turkey and Taliban were discussing the issue to keep the Kabul Airport open after the deadline so it would help evacuate more Afghans.

Maas said that the airport would be kept open after the deadline only if there was a security guarantee.

This comes as the British prime minister convened a meeting of leaders from the Group of Seven nations on Tuesday for discussion on the situation in Afghanistan.

US president Joe Biden a few days ago had said that the withdrawal deadline from Afghanistan may be extended beyond August 31. However, the Taliban said that extending the deadline would cause unwanted consequences.

US House Intelligence Committee Chairman Adam Schiff has said that it was unlikely to complete the evacuation process in eight days.

Mds/ma