The airlift launched by France to evacuate citizens and Afghans seeking to escape the Taliban will end on Thursday, when the Americans withdraw from Afghanistan on August 31, as expected.
This was stated by Nicolas Roche, Chief of Staff of Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian, to Prime Minister Jean Castix, on Tuesday, in the presence of journalists.
“In terms of ‘retrograde planning,’ the US withdrawal on August 31 means our operation will be halted Thursday night,” Roche said. “So there are still three days left.”
final date
The White House announced Monday evening at a press conference that it will meet the deadline and evacuate all Americans from Afghanistan by Aug. 31.
Several Western countries, including Belgium, have urged Washington in recent days to stay longer in Kabul in order to continue the evacuation process.
It is not yet clear what Belgium will do after next Tuesday. “We are still waiting for a response from the United States,” it seemed.
United kingdom
On Tuesday afternoon, the G7 nations, headed by the United Kingdom, will meet to discuss evacuations. British Defense Secretary Ben Wallace said on Tuesday Sky News It is unlikely that there will be an extension.
London does not intend to hand over security at Kabul airport from the Americans after their withdrawal. Wallace told BBC Radio 4. “Yes, I can fly thousands of soldiers to secure the airport. I can defend the airport for a few months, maybe a year or two. But for what? To be shot and attacked, to have people who don’t get to the airport? And they start a constant fight? I don’t think that’s a solution.
Roch Nicolas Roche, chief of staff for Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian, told Prime Minister Jean Castix on Tuesday in the presence of reporters. “So there are still three days left.” The White House announced Monday evening at a press conference that it will meet the deadline and evacuate all Americans from Afghanistan by Aug. 31. Several Western countries, including Belgium, have urged Washington in recent days to stay longer in Kabul in order to continue the evacuation process. It is not yet clear what Belgium will do after next Tuesday. It seems that we are still waiting for a response from the United States. British Defense Secretary Ben Wallace told Sky News on Tuesday that an extension was unlikely. London does not intend to hand over security at Kabul airport from the Americans after their withdrawal. Wallace told BBC Radio 4. “Yes, I can fly thousands of soldiers to secure the airport. I can defend the airport for a few months, maybe a year or two. But for what? To be shot and attacked, to have people who don’t get to the airport? And they start a constant fight? I don’t think that’s a solution.
