Australian foreign minister says willing to support extension of evacuation from Afghanistan
Foreign Minister Marise Payne said on Monday that Australia is open to help with evacuations from Afghanistan after August 31 if the US decides to postpone its pullout (Aug 23).
Last week, US Vice President Joe Biden stated that US forces may stay in Afghanistan beyond the August 31 deadline for evacuating Americans.
In the last week, Australia has evacuated roughly 1,000 people and Afghans from Kabul, and Payne stated that Australia would be willing to back additional rescue planes.
Payne told reporters in Canberra, “We are part of those conversations, and if they are to be prolonged, we are certainly ready to support a continuous operation at Hamid Karzai international Airport.”
In the last week, Australia has evacuated over 1,000 people and Afghans from Kabul, and Payne stated that Australia would be willing to back additional rescue planes.
“We are participating in those conversations, and if they are prolonged, we are fully prepared to support a continued operation of Hamid Karzai International Airport,” Payne told reporters in Canberra.
