Biden, Macron Discuss Afghanistan

By Staff, Agencies

US President Joe Biden spoke to French President Emmanuel Macron Thursday about the recent developments in Afghanistan, following the Taliban’s takeover of the country.

The two presidents “lauded the tireless efforts of their personnel working closely together in Kabul on the evacuation of their citizens, the brave Afghans who have stood by us and our NATO partners and other vulnerable Afghan nationals,” the White House said in a statement.

Stressing coordination between “allies and democratic partners on Afghanistan,” they pledged support for humanitarian aid and support for refugees.

Earlier, Macron discussed Afghanistan humanitarian concerns with Russian President Vladimir Putin and Italian Prime Minister Mario Draghi in separate phone calls.

Faced with US and other allies withdrawing forces from Afghanistan, a massive Taliban offensive this month brought former Afghan president Ashraf Ghani to flee the country on Sunday as the radical militant group retook control of the capital, Kabul.

The swift takeover surprised US leaders, with the US and other countries launching evacuations of their nationals and Afghan refugees.