France set to stop Afghanistan evacuations from Friday evening onwards — PM Castex

French Prime Minister Jean Castex, wearing a protective face mask, gestures as he speaks during the questions to the government session at the National Assembly in Paris, France. (File/AFP)
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Updated 26 August 2021
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France set to stop Afghanistan evacuations from Friday evening onwards — PM Castex

  • The US and allies urged people to move away from Kabul airport due to the threat of a terror attack by Daesh

PARIS: France will no longer be able to evacuate people from Afghanistan from Friday evening onwards, French Prime Minister Jean Castex told RTL radio.

“We are going to continue until tomorrow evening,” said Castex on Thursday.

The United States and allies urged people to move away from Kabul airport on Thursday due to the threat of a terror attack by Daesh militants as Western troops hurry to evacuate as many people as possible before an Aug. 31 deadline.

Pressure to complete the evacuations of thousands of foreigners and Afghans who helped Western countries during the 20-year war against the Taliban has intensified, with all US and allied troops due to leave the airport next week.

French President Emmanuel Macron discussed the crisis in Afghanistan with Tajik President Emomali Rakhmon, and Macron will host Rakhmon at a meeting in France on Oct. 13, a statement from Macron’s office said.

Tajikistan will not recognize an Afghan government that is not inclusive and representative of all its ethnic groups, Rakhmon said on Wednesday, accusing the Taliban of failing to fulfil their promise of inclusivity.


NATO chief talks Arctic security with Rubio amid US Greenland push

Updated 11 sec ago
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NATO chief talks Arctic security with Rubio amid US Greenland push

Trump says controlling the mineral-rich island is crucial for US national security
NATO has sought to deflect Washington’s interest in Greenland

BRUSSELS: NATO chief Mark Rutte on Friday discussed efforts to bolster Arctic security with US top diplomat Marco Rubio, after President Donald Trump insisted he wants to take control of Greenland.
The US leader has rattled allies by refusing to rule out using military force to take over the autonomous territory of fellow NATO member Denmark.
Trump says controlling the mineral-rich island is crucial for US national security given the rising threat of Russia and China in the Arctic.
NATO has sought to deflect Washington’s interest in Greenland by emphasising steps it is taking to bolster security in the region.
A NATO spokeswoman said Rutte spoke with Rubio “on the importance of the Arctic to our shared security and how NATO is working to enhance our capabilities in the High North.”
Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen has warned that an armed US attack to take Greenland could spell the end for the 76-year-old Western military alliance.
But the head of NATO’s forces in Europe, US General Alexus Grynkewich, said Friday the alliance was far from being in “a crisis,” following President Donald Trump’s threats.