Joe Biden rejects G7 plea to extend Afghanistan evacuation deadline, says to monitor Taliban actions
As a result, the G7 leaders, the European Union (EU), the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), and the United Nations (UN) have decided to stand united in their approach towards the Taliban.
FollowUS President Joe Biden rejected the pleas of G7 leaders seeking extension of the August 31 deadline for evacuations from Afghanistan.
He said allied troops in Kabul are facing a “huge and growing” risk of being attacked by terrorist groups as the new Taliban government in Afghanistan threatened retaliations against western forces if they didn’t leave by the end of August 31 deadline.
Despite concern among G7 allies, including UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson and German Chancellor Angela Merkel, Biden declared sticking to his August 31 deadline for completing a risky airlift of Americans, endangered Afghans and others seeking to escape Taliban-controlled Afghanistan.
Currently, the US has approximately 5,800 troops at the Hamid Karzai International Airport in Kabul, aiding evacuations and controlling the skies.
"We are currently on a pace to finish (the evacuation mission) by August 31. The sooner we can finish, the better. Each day of operations brings added risk to our troops," Biden told reporters at the White House on Tuesday.
Also read: ‘Deeply concerned’: World Bank halts financial funding to Afghanistan after Taliban takeover
"But the completion by August 31 depends on the Taliban continuing to cooperate and allow access to the airport for those who were transporting out and no disruptions to our operations," he said.
As a result, the G7 leaders, the European Union (EU), the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), and the United Nations (UN) have decided to stand united in their approach towards the Taliban.
"We'll judge them (Taliban) by their actions, and we'll stay in close coordination on any steps that we take moving forward in response to Taliban behaviour," Biden said in a statement at the White House, adding that the global leaders have collectively decided to support refugees and evacuees currently fleeing Afghanistan.
Also read: Joe Biden rejects G7 plea to extend Afghanistan evacuation deadline, says to monitor Taliban actions
Meanwhile, the United States has facilitated evacuations to fly out around 70,700 people from Afghanistan since the Taliban gained control over the war-torn country.
"The United States has evacuated or helped to get approximately 70,700 people out of Afghanistan since August 14. Since the end of July, the US has relocated nearly 75,900 people," he added.
(With inputs from agencies)
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