This archive report was first published on 1 September 2021.
Britain has opened talks with the Taliban over the safe passage of its remaining nationals and allies out of Afghanistan, following the hardline Islamist group's swift takeover of the country last month.
According to the British government, senior civil servant Simon Gass has been dispatched to meet with Taliban representatives in Doha, Qatar, a country where much of the Taliban's senior leadership lived in exile until the overthrow of Afghanistan's Western-backed government.
Prime Minister Boris Johnson has faced criticism for leaving many Afghans who helped NATO behind, despite being eligible to move to Britain. The British government has confirmed that over 8,000 Afghans who helped NATO forces made it out of Afghanistan and will be given indefinite leave to remain.
However, hundreds more Afghans who helped NATO forces remain stranded in the war-torn country, sparking criticism of the government's handling of the situation.
British Foreign Minister Dominic Raab was also criticized for not immediately cutting short his beach holiday when the Taliban took control of Afghanistan.
Published on September 1, 2021, at 09:25:15.
