Reuters.- US President Joe Biden will face pressure to extend until after August 31 the evacuation of thousands of people trying to flee the Taliban in Afghanistan, when he meets virtually with the leaders of the Group of the Seven (G7) on Tuesday.
Western countries are trying to bring home their own citizens and desperate Afghans who crowd the Kabul airport and are trying to flee the country, fearing retaliation from Taliban militants who only recently took control of the country. One week.
The situation has caused chaotic scenes at the airport, with a score of dead in stampedes and shootings, in the midst of panic to catch flights to leave the country before the United States and its allies withdraw their troops.
The form of the pullout, 20 years after the US-led invasion to drive out the Taliban following the attacks of September 11, 2001, has strained relations between Washington and other capitals, where there has been consternation for the time being and the way it was carried out.
At their meeting, the leaders of the G7 group of the richest democracies, which includes the United States, Italy, France, Germany, Japan and Canada, will focus on the evacuation effort, as well as the long-term future of Afghanistan, said British Prime Minister Boris Johnson, who will chair the conference.
It may interest you: Biden faces pressure to extend the deadline for US departure from Kabul amid chaos
“Our first priority is to complete the evacuation of our citizens and the Afghans who have assisted in our efforts over the past 20 years, but as we look to the next phase, it is vital that we come together as an international community and agree on a long-term joint approach. term, “he said in a statement.
The meeting will also discuss possible economic sanctions and the possibility of withholding aid if the Taliban commit human rights abuses or allow their territory to be used as a refuge for militants, British sources said on Sunday.
There will also be a call for unity on when and if the Taliban are officially recognized as the country’s leaders, diplomatic sources said.
RED LINE
However, it is the evacuation effort that is likely to dominate the discussions. The Taliban have said the August 31 deadline is a red line, but Biden has said troops could stay beyond that date.
Johnson spoke with Biden before the G7 meeting, in which they agreed to ensure that all who may leave Kabul do so, “even after the initial phase of the evacuation is over.”
The president’s handling of the crisis so far has angered some of America’s closest allies.
During an emergency session in parliament last week, British lawmakers, including many high-level figures from Johnson’s own Conservative Party, lined up to condemn Biden’s actions, while former Prime Minister Tony Blair outlined the politics behind the the withdrawal as “moron.”
France has said more time is needed for the evacuation and German Foreign Minister Heiko Maas said on Monday that the G7 should consider whether to stay beyond the deadline set by the United States.
British Defense Minister Ben Wallace said there was little prospect of British forces staying behind to continue an evacuation once American forces have left.
Subscribe to Forbes Mexico