Proposes Kabul Safe Zone And Establishes Communications With The Taliban, President Macron: Does Not Mean Officially Recognizing

Presiden Prancis Emmanuel Macron. (Wikimedia Commons / Press Service of the President of the Russian Federation)

JAKARTA - French President Emmanuel Macron said his country, along with Germany and Britain, were putting forward a UN proposal aimed at establishing a safe zone in Kabul to allow safe passage for people trying to leave Afghanistan, Sunday local time.

Macron, who said France had started discussions with the Taliban to explore how further evacuations could proceed, said the resolution would be brought on Monday to an emergency meeting of the UN Security Council containing veto-wielding members.

"There are some discussions to see how aviation can be rebuilt," President Macron said in a TV interview broadcast by France's TF1, adding that Qatar was also helping with the negotiations.

"What we have proposed and what we plan to bring to the UN Security Council together with the UK and Germany, is a solution that we have used previously in other operations, which would involve creating a zone that would allow people to arrive at the airport." .

Asked if he was optimistic it was acceptable to the Taliban, Macron said it was too early to reach any conclusions, but he said it was worth pursuing.

"It can mobilize the entire international community, and it also puts pressure on the Taliban," Macron said, adding the Taliban had to show they were willing to respect humanitarian issues.

Illustration of evacuation at Kabul airport, Afghanistan. (Wikimedia Commons/US Marine Corps/Sgt. Isaiah Campbell)

"Discussions with the Taliban do not mean France will officially recognize the Taliban government," Macron added.

On a visit to Mosul in Iraq, Macron said he hoped the resolution would be welcomed by other countries.

"I can't see who can oppose enabling the safety of humanitarian operations," Macron told reporters.

Macron said on Saturday France held initial discussions with the Taliban about the humanitarian situation in Afghanistan and the possible evacuation of more people.

To note, the Taliban will allow all foreign nationals and Afghan nationals with travel permits from other countries to leave Afghanistan, according to a joint statement issued by Britain, the United States and other countries including France on Sunday.

US military forces, which have been guarding the airport in Kabul, will withdraw by Tuesday's deadline set by President Joe Biden. France is among the countries that have also ended evacuations from Kabul airport, including for its diplomatic staff, who are now in France.

Meanwhile, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres held a meeting in Afghanistan with UN envoys to Britain, France, the United States, China and Russia - the permanent members of the veto-wielding Security Council.