UK’s Johnson to push Biden for Afghan deadline extension By Reuters

LONDON (Reuters) -British Prime Minister Boris Johnson will urge U.S. President Joe Biden this week to increase the evacuation deadline from Afghanistan, however even when one is agreed, the West may even want the approval of the Taliban, a defence minister stated.

Johnson will host a digital assembly of leaders from the Group of Seven superior economies on Tuesday to debate the disaster in Afghanistan the place hundreds of individuals have descended on Kabul airport in a bid to flee the Taliban.

James Heappey, minister for the armed forces, stated Britain was pushing for the deadline to be pushed past Aug. 31 after it recognized hundreds of individuals, together with Afghan residents, that it needs to assist evacuate.

However the Taliban would want to offer its approval, which means British forces couldn’t depend on an extension, he stated.

“Although they’re the seven strongest individuals on the planet they do not get to take that call in isolation. The Taliban get a vote as properly and that is why we’re persevering with to work in the direction of the thirty first,” Heappey informed LBC radio.

“Even when the political will in London, Washington, Paris, Berlin is for an extension, the Taliban could say no,” he stated.

James Cleverly, a minister within the overseas workplace, stated the Taliban gave the impression to be cooperating for now, however the authorities couldn’t assume that might final.

“If we are able to purchase extra time that’s nice however I believe that we should not be counting on the truth that we are going to get extra time to do that,” Cleverly stated.

The British authorities can also be looking for new sanctions in opposition to the Taliban.

The Islamist group seized energy as the USA and its allies withdrew their troops after a 20-year conflict launched within the weeks after the Sept. 11, 2001, assaults.