UN Security Council to Taliban: Let Afghans Leave Safely

The U.N. Security Council told the Taliban on Monday it expects them to allow the safe passage of all Afghans and foreigners who want to leave the country.

Of the council’s 15 members, Russia and China abstained on the draft resolution, written by the United States, Britain and France, while all other members supported it. The council noted the Taliban’s August 27 statement that it would not prevent Afghans who want to leave from doing so by land or air. The council said it “expects the Taliban will adhere to these and all other commitments, including regarding the safe, secure and orderly departure from Afghanistan of Afghans and all foreign nationals.” Chaotic images from the Kabul airport since the Taliban swept into the capital on August 15 show the desperation of many Afghans to flee the country. U.S. Ambassador to the U.N. Linda Thomas-Greenfield said the United States has facilitated the evacuation of 122,000 Americans, Afghans and other nationals since late July.