Taliban To Allow Continued Departures Despite US Troop Withdrawal, Says 100-Nation Group

Washington: The Taliban will continue to allow foreigners of 100 countries and Afghans with foreign travel papers to leave the country “in a safe and orderly manner,” as US troop withdrawal ends on Tuesday, the countries said via a statement on Sunday.

The United States, Britain, France and Germany are in the 100-nation group.

“We have received assurances from the Taliban that all foreign nationals and any Afghan citizen with travel authorization from our countries will be allowed to proceed in a safe and orderly manner to points of departure and travel outside the country,” said the statement.

“We are all committed to ensuring that our citizens, nationals and residents, employees, Afghans who have worked with us and those who are at risk can continue to travel freely to destinations outside Afghanistan,” the statement, which was also signed by the European Union and NATO, added.

According to the group of countries, it would continue issuing travel documents to “designated Afghans.” “We have the clear expectation of and commitment from the Taliban that they can travel to our respective countries,” the statement further said.

However, China and Russia were not among the signatories to the document.

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