Afghanistan: Biden resists pressure, confirms withdrawal on 31 August

The American president Joe Biden resists pressure from the G7, confirming to the allies that the definitive US withdrawal from Afghanistan will be on 31 August.

This was reported by sources of the American administration cited by the media. Biden has therefore decided to follow the recommendations of the Pentagon, whose leaders would be opposed to extending the deadline for the withdrawal from Kabul where there are currently more than 5,000 American soldiers engaged in the evacuation operations. The White House number one has asked the Pentagon to prepare "contingency plans" to extend the stay in Kabul should it become necessary. 

It was British Prime Minister Boris Johnson who opened and closed the video-summit of G7 leaders (for Italy, Mario Draghi) on the Afghan dossier, convened in extraordinary format after the capture of Kabul by part of the Taliban following the withdrawal of the contingent residues of the NATO countries. In the middle Johnson gave the floor to various colleagues, up to the most anticipated speech, that of the American president Joe Biden, which lasted no more than 7 minutes, according to the PA agency.

At the center of the discussion, the coordination of the evacuations of foreigners and part of the Afghans considered most in danger (former collaborators of the NATO mission in primis) by 31 August, as well as the question of diplomatic measures to be taken to promote the protection of civilians and their rights in the country and that of access to humanitarian aid. On the other hand, the hypothesis of a postponement of the withdrawal of the soldiers in charge of carrying out the evacuation operations from Kabul airport beyond the end-of-month deadline already agreed at the time by Washington with the Taliban seems out of reach: deadline that Johnson , closely followed by French President Emmanuel Macron and the EU leaders had suggested extending.

"It will be necessary to ensure the security of the" Kabul "airport for as long as necessary to complete the operations. This is one of the issues we have raised with the US and other partners."

This was stated by the president of the European Council, Charles Michel, at the end of the extraordinary meeting of the G7 on Afghanistan.

The Prime Minister Mario Draghi - according to what is learned - has addressed an appeal to the leaders of the G7: "Italy will redirect the resources that were destined to the Afghan military forces towards humanitarian aid. I ask all of you to join this commitment, compatibly with the situation of your countries ".