In a Sky News interview on Tuesday, Taliban spokesman and negotiator Suhail Shaheen said that there will be consequences if the US delays withdrawing the troops from Afghanistan by August 31.
He said that “there would be consequences” if the US or UK asks for more time for the evacuation process.
Meanwhile, UK prime minister Boris Johnson on Sunday said that he will convene G7 leaders on Tuesday for urgent talks on the situation in Afghanistan. “It is vital that the international community works together to ensure safe evacuations, prevent a humanitarian crisis, and support the Afghan people to secure the gains of the last 20 years.” He said in a tweet.
I will convene G7 leaders on Tuesday for urgent talks on the situation in Afghanistan. It is vital that the international community works together to ensure safe evacuations, prevent a humanitarian crisis and support the Afghan people to secure the gains of the last 20 years.
— Boris Johnson (@BorisJohnson) August 22, 2021
Speaking about the G7 meeting, US President Joe Biden said in a press statement on Monday, “”Our first priority is to complete the evacuation of our citizens and those Afghans who have assisted our efforts over the last 20 years – but as we look ahead to the next phase, it’s vital we come together as an international community and agree on a joint approach for the longer term.”
He also said that he called a meeting to coordinate the response to the “immediate crisis” and “to reaffirm our commitment to the Afghan people, and to ask our international partners to match the UK’s commitments to support those in need.”
The G7 meeting will be built on Biden’s call with leaders like Boris Johnson, German Chancellor Angela Merkel, France’s President Emmanuel Macron, and Italy’s Prime Minister Mario Draghi.