Biden, Johnson to hold G7 meeting next week on Afghan situation: White House

Amid the fall of Afghanistan into the hands of Taliban, US
President Joe Biden and British Prime Minister Boris Johnson have come to an
agreement to hold a virtual meeting of G-7 countries next week about the recent
developments in Afghanistan.

The White House on Tuesday said that Johnson and Biden spoke
over phone regarding the developments in Afghanistan and the two leaders
commended the bravery and professionalism of their military and civilian
personnel, who are working together in Kabul on the evacuation of their
citizens.

Also read: Taliban takeover: US senate panel to probe ‘horrifying result’ in Afghanistan

The White House said in a readout of a phone call that the
two leaders also discussed the need for continued coordination among allies and
democratic partners on Afghanistan policy going forward, including ways the
global community can provide further humanitarian assistance and support for
refugees and other vulnerable Afghans.

Also read: As Taliban returns, 20 years of progress for women looks set to disappear overnight

It also said that they agreed to hold a virtual G-7 leaders’
meeting next week to discuss a common strategy and approach the Afghan
situation.

It can be seen that G-7 is an inter-governmental political
forum that consists Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the United Kingdom
and the United States.

On the other side, Antony Blinken, the US Secretary of State,
continued with his global outreach on the issue of Afghanistan.

Recently, Blinken spoke with Qatari Deputy Prime Minister
and Minister of Foreign Affairs Mohammed Abdulrahman Al-Thani and Kuwaiti
Foreign Minister Sheikh Ahmad Nasser Al-Mohammad Al-Sabah, thanking them for
assistance in facilitating the transit of US citizens and Embassy Kabul
personnel through Doha and Kuwait City.

He has also continued to be in regular contact with the President
and the broader national security and foreign policy team.

On Sunday, Taliban insurgents seized Kabul after a sudden
and unprecedented collapse of the US-backed Ashraf Ghani government, prompting
the embattled president to flee the country.

On the other side, the head of Afghanistan’s central bank
fled Kabul and questioned the loyalty of Afghan security forces. It also blamed
President Ashraf Ghani for the country’s chaotic fall to the Taliban.

Taking to Twitter, detailing how he worked at
the bank until the terrorists were at the gates of the city, Acting Governor
Ajmal Ahmady had said that US dollar supplies were dwindling and described
escaping the capital on a military flight.