Hard! French Foreign Minister Le Drian Calls The Taliban Lying

Taliban soldiers stand guard on the streets following the reopening of banks and markets after the Taliban took power in Kabul, Afghanistan/ Antara

JAKARTA - French Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian said the Taliban were lying. Thus, France insists it will not have any relationship with its newly formed government.

"They said they would let some foreigners and Afghans go freely and (talk) about an inclusive and representative government, but they lied," Le Drian said on France 5 TV.

"France refuses to recognize or have any relationship with this government. We want action from the Taliban and they will need economic breathing space and international relations. It's up to them."

Paris has evacuated some 3,000 people and has held technical talks with the Taliban to allow the departure.

Le Drian, who was heading to the Qatari capital Doha on Sunday, said there were still a few French nationals and several hundred Afghans with ties to France remaining in Afghanistan.