Taliban warns of consequences if August 31 deadline for US-led troop withdrawal is extended

The warning came as British Prime Minister Boris Johnson convened an emergency G7 meeting on Tuesday in his role as current Chair of the Group of Seven countries, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the United States and the UK.

London: Ahead of an emergency G7 meeting on Afghanistan, the Taliban on Monday warned that there will be consequences if the US and UK sought an extension to the August 31 deadline for the US-led troop withdrawal from the war-torn country. Speaking to 'Sky News' in Doha, Qatar, Taliban spokesperson Dr Suhail Shaheen stated that the month-end deadline was a 'red line', as any extension would imply an extended occupation of the country. He said the timeline had been laid out by US President Joe Biden and threatened 'consequences' if the US and UK sought an extension to that deadline. "It's a red line. President Biden announced that on 31 August they would withdraw all their military forces. So if they extend it that means they are extending occupation while there is no need for that," Shaheen said. "If the US or UK were to seek additional time to continue evacuations", the answer is no. Or there would be consequences. It will create mistrust between us. If they are intent on continuing the occupation it will provoke a reaction," he said. The warning came as British Prime Minister Boris Johnson convened an emergency G7 meeting on Tuesday in his role as current Chair of the Group of Seven countries, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the United States and the UK. On the agenda for the world leaders is expected to be a push for the US to seek an extension of the August 31 deadline, as time is running out for the evacuation of foreign nationals from the Taliban controlled region. On the issue of desperate scenes at Kabul airport as people risk their lives to flee the country for fear of Taliban reprisals, the spokesperson termed it as economic migration.