Afghanistan: Qatari team sent to Kabul to discuss “resumption of airport operations”

Two days after the departure of the last American soldiers from Afghanistan Monday, a Qatari plane landed, Wednesday 1^er September, in Kabul. On board: a technical team responsible for discussing “Resumption of operations at the airport”, a source familiar with the matter told Agence France-Presse (AFP). “Although no final agreement was reached on the provision of technical assistance, a team from Qatar has started a discussion on the basis of a request” of the Islamist movement of the Taliban and other protagonists, added the same source without specifying them.

Qatar maintains close relations with the Taliban, who have regained power in Kabul since August 15, and plays a central role in negotiations between the Islamist regime and the international community. “The objective [des discussions] is to resume flights to and from Kabul, for humanitarian assistance and to ensure freedom of movement in a safe and secure manner, including the resumption of evacuations ”, still according to the same source.

Qatar had called on the Taliban earlier Wednesday to release a “Safe passage” for people wishing to leave the country. “We have insisted, with the Taliban, on the issue of freedom of movement so that there is a safe passage for people wanting to leave or enter if they wish.”, declared the head of Qatari diplomacy, Mohammed Ben Abderrahmane Al-Thani. “We hope that these commitments will be honored in the near future when the airport resumes operations, that it will run smoothly and that there will be no obstacles for anyone.”, he also added.

Transfer from the Dutch embassy to Doha

The emirate had already played the role of mediator in the peace process between the Afghan government and the Taliban before the seizure of power by the Islamist movement. Doha has since kept a privileged link with the insurgents, who have now become masters of the country.

“As a fair and neutral mediator in recent years between the Taliban and the United States, or between the Taliban and other Afghan parties, we have built trust” with all the protagonists, further argued the head of diplomacy. “This investment has produced that confidence. We all need to use it (…) for the future of Afghanistan. “

At the same press conference, the Dutch foreign minister also announced the transfer of the Dutch diplomatic mission from Kabul to Doha. ” I asked [au Qatar] to accept the relocation of our embassy to Doha so that the Netherlands can remain efficient ” in their handling of the Afghan crisis, said Sigrid Kaag. The United States and Great Britain recently made the same choice, considering that the safety of their personnel was no longer guaranteed in Kabul.

Fight against terrorism and “inclusive” government

However, Qatar also hopes to establish maximum security in the country by asking the Taliban to engage in the fight against the “Terrorism” and form a government ” inclusive ”. “We have stressed the importance of cooperation in combating terrorism. There is no doubt that Afghanistan is going through a critical period and we have stressed the importance of the Taliban’s cooperation and of fulfilling their obligations in this area ”, had thus declared Mr. Al-Thani, during a previous press conference, Tuesday, with his German counterpart Heiko Maas.

“It is our role to always urge them to form an inclusive government that includes all parties and excludes none, said the Qatari minister. During our discussions with the Taliban, there was no positive or negative response. The State of Qatar will continue to open channels of communication with all parties in Afghanistan and we hope to achieve a national consensus. “

The Taliban celebrated their victory in Afghanistan on Tuesday after twenty years of a devastating war triggered by the intervention of an international coalition led by the United States to oust the latter from power, accused of having sheltered Al-Qaida terrorists responsible for the attacks of September 11, 2001 on American soil.