France’s foreign minister has said that the Taliban is discussing the management of Kabul’s international airport with Qatar and Turkey, insisting that the hard-line Islamist group should secure the facility quickly so that people who want to leave Afghanistan can do so using commercial flights.
"The Security Council resolution about securing the airport must be implemented,” Jean-Yves Le Drian said on French television on August 31 after the United States moved its last troops out of Afghanistan, ending America’s longest war.
“There are talks under way with the Qataris and Turks about management of the airport. We must demand that access to the airport is safe," Le Drian added.
On August 30, the UN Security Council adopted a resolution requiring the Taliban to honor its commitment to let people freely leave Afghanistan.
The resolution –- which passed with 13 votes in favor, with China and Russia abstaining -- says the council expects the Taliban to allow a "safe, secure, and orderly departure from Afghanistan of Afghans and all foreign nationals."
It also called for letting humanitarian aid flow, upholding human rights, and combating terrorism.