British Prime Minister Boris Johnson plans to host a G7 leaders meeting in the coming days with Afghanistan on the agenda, his office said in a statement on Monday.
Johnson voiced his intention to host a virtual meeting between G7 leaders in a phone call with French President Emmanuel Macron, in which the two leaders discussed the situation in Afghanistan after the Taliban gained control of the capital Kabul on Sunday.
In the phone call, Johnson “stressed the need for the international community to come together and take a unified approach on Afghanistan, both in terms of recognising any future government and in working to prevent a humanitarian and refugee crisis,” said the statement.
Read more: UK expresses misgivings over US “rotten deal” to leave Afghanistan
“The leaders both emphasised the ongoing importance of working together on the long-term future of Afghanistan and the immediate need to help our nationals and others get to safety. They agreed that the UK and France should work together at the UN Security Council, including on a possible joint-resolution,” it added.
The Taliban entered Kabul on Sunday and took control of Afghanistan for the first time in almost 20 years after US-led foreign forces occupied the country in 2001. The Afghan government has collapsed and President Ashraf Ghani left the country.
PM @BorisJohnson outlined intention to host virtual G7 meeting on Afghanistan in coming days & both leaders agreed the UK & France should work together at UN Security Council, including on possible joint resolution.
— Rezaul Hasan Laskar (@Rezhasan) August 16, 2021
Britain last month withdrew the majority of its 750 remaining troops in Afghanistan, but last week announced that 600 soldiers would return to help with repatriation.
Wallace told Sky News 370 embassy staff and British citizens were flown out on Saturday and Sunday, with 782 Afghans scheduled to leave in the next 24 to 36 hours.
Officials are aiming to evacuate 1,200 to 1,500 people from Afghanistan a day, he added.
Read more: The return of Taliban after two decades
Prime Minister Boris Johnson has said Britain would help some 3,000 nationals to leave. Senior politicians and military top brass have strongly criticised the withdrawal of international troops from Afghanistan.
Parliament has been recalled on Wednesday to discuss the situation, including asylum and support for Afghan nationals who have fled.
Anadolu with additional input by GVS News Desk