Skip to main content

Advertisement

Advertisement

US says Taliban legitimacy and support will need to be "earned"

WASHINGTON — The United States (US) expects the Taliban to live up to their commitments now that US troops have pulled out of Afghanistan, but any legitimacy or support will need to be "earned," US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said Monday (Aug 30).

Afghan people wait to leave the airport in Kabul on Aug 16, 2021, after the end to Afghanistan's 20-year war.

Afghan people wait to leave the airport in Kabul on Aug 16, 2021, after the end to Afghanistan's 20-year war.

Follow TODAY on WhatsApp

WASHINGTON — The United States (US) expects the Taliban to live up to their commitments now that US troops have pulled out of Afghanistan, but any legitimacy or support will need to be "earned," US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said Monday (Aug 30).

America's top diplomat, speaking just hours after the final US evacuation flights left Kabul, said Washington has suspended its diplomatic presence in Kabul as of Monday and shifted its operations to Qatar.

"Our troops have departed Afghanistan," Mr Blinken said. "A new chapter of America's engagement with Afghanistan has begun.

"It's one in which we will lead with our diplomacy. The military mission is over; a new diplomatic mission has begun."

Mr Blinken said the US was committed to helping every American who wants to depart Afghanistan to leave the country.

He said a small number of US citizens remained in the country — "under 200" but likely closer to just 100 — and wanted to leave.

Mr Blinken said the Taliban would need to live up to their commitments to provide freedom of travel, to respect the rights of women and minorities and to not allow the country to become a base for terrorism.

"Any legitimacy and any support will have to be earned," Mr Blinken said. AFP

Related topics

US Afghanistan Taliban military pullout Kabul

Read more of the latest in

Advertisement

Advertisement

Stay in the know. Anytime. Anywhere.

Subscribe to get daily news updates, insights and must reads delivered straight to your inbox.

By clicking subscribe, I agree for my personal data to be used to send me TODAY newsletters, promotional offers and for research and analysis.