The Afghan crisis was invited, Saturday, August 28, to the summit in Baghdad devoted to the fight against terrorism and the sovereignty of Iraq. The Taliban’s seizure of power in Afghanistan and the attack perpetrated by the Islamic State organization in Khorasan (EI-K) on Thursday in Kabul have somewhat shaken up exchanges.
“Whatever the American choices, we will maintain our presence to fight terrorism in Iraq, as long as Iraq asks for it”, first wanted to remind Emmanuel Macron during a press conference in Baghdad. “We have the operational capacities to ensure this presence”, he added.
But the President of the Republic above all said that a dialogue was engaged with the Taliban in Afghanistan. “We are in the process of having discussions. They remain extremely fragile and temporary (…). But yes, there are discussions (…) on the subject of humanitarian operations and the ability to protect returnees, Afghans and Afghans who are at risk. “
These exchanges are being held with Qatar, which could have the possibility of “Reopen airlifts” with Afghanistan. The Gulf emirate has been hosting representatives of the Taliban for several years.
A first meeting Thursday in Doha
These air bridges “Would allow evacuation operations in a necessarily different framework but within a framework necessarily and systematically negotiated with the Taliban”, said Emmanuel Macron. “This very clearly is a condition for us of any form of political engagement (…) towards the Taliban”, added the President of the Republic.
A French delegation met representatives of the Taliban on Thursday in Doha for the first time since they took power. The latter made their entry into Kabul on August 15, after a lightning offensive across the country in parallel with the military withdrawal of the United States announced in the spring by the American president, Joe Biden.
In an interview in the Sunday Journal, the head of state also announced that France and the United Kingdom would plead before the UN on Monday for the creation in Kabul of a “Safe zone”. This protected area will allow the continuation of humanitarian operations on the spot, explained Emmanuel Macron. It should be the subject of a draft resolution from London and Paris. The five permanent members of the Security Council are due to meet on Monday to discuss the Afghan crisis. The objective would be for this “safe zone” to be placed under UN control.
” Its very important. This would provide a framework for the United Nations to act in an emergency, and above all it will allow everyone to face their responsibilities and the international community to maintain pressure on the Taliban ”, said Emmanuel Macron.
More than 2,800 evacuations from Kabul
At Sunday Newspaper, Emmanuel Macron said he imagined targeted evacuations “Which will not be done by the military airport of Kabul”. “We will see if this can be done by the civilian airport of the capital or by neighboring countries”, he clarified.
The Minister of the Armed Forces, Florence Parly, announced on Thursday the end of these evacuation operations while leaving the door open to another type of humanitarian operations. France has already evacuated 2,834 people, including 142 French, 17 Europeans and nearly 2,700 Afghans, via fifteen flights since August 17, said Emmanuel Macron in Baghdad.
For its part, the United Kingdom also declared on Saturday to be done with these operations. “The last flight carrying British armed forces personnel left Kabul”, the Ministry of Defense tweeted, posting pictures of tense-looking, drawn-out soldiers boarding the plane. “To all who have served so courageously under enormous pressure and in horrible conditions to bring the most vulnerable civilians to safety: thank you”, adds the ministry.
Prime Minister Boris Johnson also addressed his thanks to those who carried out the operation, during which more than 15,000 people were evacuated in less than two weeks.
The Taliban have said all foreign forces should have left Afghanistan by August 31, which has become the deadline for such evacuations despite a large number of candidates to leave.