President Biden To UK PM Agree On Evacuation, US Intelligence Committee Says It's Very Impossible To Meet Taliban Demands

Evacuation at Kabul airport, Afghanistan. (Twitter/@DeptofDefense)

JAKARTA - British Prime Minister Boris Johnson and US President Joe Biden agreed on Monday to work together to ensure everyone eligible to leave Afghanistan can do so, including after the initial evacuation phase ends.

"They discussed ongoing efforts by the UK and US to coordinate the speedy and safe evacuation of our nationals, as well as those who previously worked with our government from Kabul International Airport", a spokesman for the UK PM's Office said after the two leaders spoke by telephone, cited from Reuters, August 24.

"Leaders agreed to continue working together to ensure those eligible to leave, including after the initial phase of evacuation ends", the office said in a statement.

PM Boris Johnson and President Joe Biden also noted the importance of joint diplomatic engagement to secure progress made in Afghanistan, to prevent a humanitarian crisis, the statement said.

"They are committed to encouraging international action, including through the G7 and the UN Security Council, to stabilize the situation, support the Afghan people and work towards an inclusive and representative Afghan government", the spokesman added.

With thousands of desperate Afghans and foreigners gathering at Kabul airport in hopes of escaping Afghanistan's new Taliban rulers, US President Joe Biden is expected to decide soon whether to extend the August 31 deadline to evacuate Americans and their allies to safety.

Evacuation by the British military. (Twitter/@DefenceHQ)

An administration official told Reuters that President Joe Biden would decide within 24 hours whether or not to extend the withdrawal deadline to give the Pentagon time to prepare.

Meanwhile, the Taliban confirmed the deadline for the withdrawal of US-led foreign troops on August 31, rejecting an extension. The push to extend the deadline for international troop withdrawals comes as efforts to complete the entire evacuation process from Kabul's international airport.

"If the United States or Britain seeks additional time to resume evacuations, the answer is no. There will be consequences", he said, citing Arab News.

While telling the BBC, Shaheen said the decision had been made by the Taliban leadership, as was the reaction to such moves.

"Foreign troops have to withdraw by the deadline they have previously announced. Otherwise, it is a clear violation", Shaheen stressed. He did not specify what the consequences would be, only saying it would be decided by the Taliban leadership.

Separately, the US House Intelligence Committee Chairman Adam Schiff, speaking to reporters on Monday after a briefing by intelligence officials said he thought it highly unlikely the Afghan evacuation would be completed by the August 31 deadline, in line with the Taliban's demands.

"I think it's possible, but I think it's highly unlikely given the number of Americans who still need to be evacuated", Schiff said.