Resolution to establish safe zone in Kabul to allow safe passage of people trying to leave Afghanistan was approved at UNSC with 13 votes in favour and 2 abstentions from China and Russia
The United Nations Security Council (U.N.S.C.) has approved the resolution for establishing a safe zone in Kabul to allow safe passage of people trying to leave Afghanistan. The resolution was passed with 13 votes in favour and 2 abstentions from China and Russia.
The proposal was jointly proposed by France, Germany and U.K. Taliban has said that it will allow people with authorisation to leave the country. The United States (U.S.) Secretary of State – Antony Blinken has also said U.S. will make Taliban accountable for their commitment.
Taking it to twitter, the Prime Minister of U.K. – Boris Johnson tweeted,
Tonight’s UN Security Council resolution, led by the UK with our allies, makes clear that the international community stands with Afghans.
— Boris Johnson (@BorisJohnson) August 30, 2021
There can be no return to repression or terror. We will push as one voice for safe passage, humanitarian access & respect for human rights.
Meanwhile, the Secretary of Foreign Affairs, United Kingdom (U.K.) – Dominic Raab said that U.K. must accept the new reality in Afghanistan and should work together with other nations to exercise moderate influence over Taliban. He said that U.K. would make Taliban deliver its pledge of allowing safe passage of people willing to leave Afghanistan. Hundreds of U.K. nationals are still stuck there. Of the 17,000 total people evacuated by U.K. troops, 5,000 are U.K. nationals.
Raab also said that U.K. needs support from China and Russia to exercise moderate influence. Most importantly, he said U.K. reserves the right to take part in future air strikes in the country on the grounds of “lawful self-defence”, especially when dealing with terrorist outfits.
He clarified that the way he has handled the Afghan crisis is worth mentioning. He even said that no department has performed better than the Foreign Office and anyone trying to suggest otherwise either lacked credibility or had been peripheral to events. He even advised such people to focus on the job at hand.
His remarks came after he was accused of being unavailable over phone during his holiday in Crete, when he was getting calls for evacuating interpreters who had helped U.K. forces.
Downing Street has also confirmed that the Prime Minister of U.K. – Boris Johnson has full confidence in Raab and there are no plans of Cabinet reshuffle.
Separately, U.K. denied reports that it was U.K. who asked for Abbey Gate to remain open at Kabul Airport, to assist in evacuations. It was the Abbey Gate where the first blast by ISIL-K took place.
U.K. is also ready to deploy more Foreign Office and other staff to nations bordering Afghanistan to help with further evacuations.
Also, the final flight for U.S. troops has left the Kabul, shortly before midnight local time, meeting President Joe Biden’s commitment to withdraw troops by August 31, 2021.
