G7 seeks cooperation on evacuation, refugees amid chaos in Kabul
Photo taken on Aug. 15, 2021 shows closed shops in Kabul, capital of Afghanistan.(Photo by Rahmatullah Alizadah/Xinhua
G7 sought close cooperation in personnel evacuation and the resettlement of refugees amid the hasty withdrawal of the U.S.-led military troops in Afghanistan and the Taliban's swift takeover of the Asian country.
LONDON, Aug. 19 (Xinhua) -- The Group of Seven (G7) on Thursday sought to secure close cooperation in personnel evacuation and the resettlement of refugees as chaos continues at the Kabul airport amid the hasty withdrawal of the U.S.-led military troops in Afghanistan and the Taliban's swift takeover of the Asian country.
The foreign ministers of G7, including Britain, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan and the United States, as well as the high representative of the European Union, met online Thursday and "spoke about the gravity of the situation and the significant loss of life and internal displacement in Afghanistan over recent days," according to a statement issued by British Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab in his capacity as the chair of the meeting.
"G7 Ministers support the statement of the UN Security Council on 16 August, and affirmed our commitment in particular to the urgent need for the cessation of violence, respect for human rights including for women, children and minorities, inclusive negotiations about the future of Afghanistan," it said.
The Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid (C, rear) attends a press conference in Kabul, capital of Afghanistan, on Aug. 17, 2021. (Str/Xinhua)
Following the Taliban's takeover of Afghanistan over the weekend, scenes of chaotic evacuation at the Kabul airport and desperate Afghans who fell from the sky after clinging to planes taking off shocked the world.
Thousands of the nationals and local support staff of the United States and its allies are still left stranded in Afghanistan, waiting to be evacuated.
The latest development came as the rift between Washington and its European allies seemed to have widened over the Afghan crisis.
Photo taken on Aug. 15, 2021 shows a road in Kabul, capital of Afghanistan. (Photo by Rahmatullah Alizadah/Xinhua)
On Tuesday, French daily Le Monde said "Europeans were trapped in hasty American withdrawal". British Secretary of Defense Ben Wallace said last Friday that the U.S. decision to pull its military forces out of Afghanistan was a "mistake".
The G7 will continue efforts to evacuate vulnerable persons from Kabul airport and call on all parties to facilitate that, the ministers concurred during Thursday's meeting, which set the stage for a virtual meeting of G7 leaders on the Afghan situation early next week.
British Home Office has introduced a "bespoke" resettlement plan, promising to take in up to 20,000 Afghans "in the long-term," with some 5,000 being in the first year. The plan was considered far from enough to deal with the Afghan crisis by British lawmakers who met for an emergency parliament session on Wednesday.
Related articles
College baseball notebook: Conference tournaments to decide NCAA automatic bids and many at
The field for the NCAA baseball tournament will take shape this week with conference tournaments det2024-05-21Vice President Harris announces final rules mandating minimum standards for nursing home staffing
The federal government is for the first time requiring nursing homes to have minimum staffing levels2024-05-21Sizzling Scottie Scheffler holds five
Scottie Scheffler didn't get his fourth win of the season at the RBC Heritage on Sunday, but only be2024-05-21Police in Greece raid homes and detain dozens in crackdown on deadly soccer violence
ATHENS, Greece (AP) — Police in Greece have raided multiple homes in Athens and detained dozens of s2024-05-21- DENVER (AP) — The Denver Nuggets couldn’t quiet an epic second-half comeback by Minnesota or the noi2024-05-21
Slade Cecconi, Diamondbacks earn 5
SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — Right-hander Slade Cecconi held the San Francisco Giants to two runs in six inn2024-05-21
atest comment