CIA director held secret meeting with Taliban leader Abdul Baradar in Kabul: Report
Last week, Biden stated that US forces might remain in Afghanistan until next week's deadline to evacuate Americans.
FollowAccording to US media reports, US President Joe Biden sent the chief of the CIA to see the Taliban's commander on Monday in the highest-level diplomatic contact since the terrorist organisation seized over the Afghan capital. According to the Washington Post, citing anonymous US sources, Central Intelligence Agency Director William Burns visited Taliban commander Abdul Ghani Baradar in Kabul on Monday as the Biden administration evacuated US nationals and other allies amid turmoil at Kabul airport ahead of the August 31 deadline.
The CIA had no comment, according to a spokesperson. Burns and Baradar met, according to media reports, citing a senior diplomat in the area and another source familiar with the issue. The meeting was also reported by Fox News, citing an anonymous US official. Last week, Biden stated that US forces might remain in Afghanistan until next week's deadline to evacuate Americans. Two Taliban sources told Reuters on Monday that the Taliban will not extend the deadline for Western soldiers to depart.
Also Read | Kabul evacuation among ‘largest, most challenging’ airlifts in history, says US President Joe Biden
President Joe Biden attempted to reassure Americans about the abrupt pullout from Afghanistan, claiming that no Americans would be abandoned during one of the "most difficult" airlifts in history. In a broadcast address, Biden stated that this is one of the largest and most complex airlifts in history, and he cannot guarantee the outcome.
According to the White House, around 13,000 people have boarded US military jets in less than a week, with the number anticipated to grow.
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