Biden rejects G7 leaders request to extend the US troops withdrawal deadline

 

On Tuesday, Joe Biden rejected requests to extend his 31 August withdrawal from Afghanistan, leaving British PM Boris Johnson and world leaders no choice but to ask the Taliban to let people go safely after US troops exit. 

Biden insisted after virtual discussions with the G7 leaders that the US and the partners would “stand side by side” in future action over the Taliban and Afghanistan, however failing them in their urgent requests presently to permit more time for airlifts. 

 US president was determined that the danger of terror attacks was too high to even think about agreeing to calls from G-7 allies to keep 5,800 American soldiers at Kabul’s air terminal past the month’s end, anchoring the airlifts. 

 Biden stated, “We are at present on a pace to wrap up by 31 August,” the sooner we can complete, the better. Every day’s operations bring added risk to our soldiers.” 

 Biden mentioned that he had asked the Pentagon and the state department for “emergency plans to adjust the timetable if necessary”.

 I’m determined to make sure we accomplish our mission. I’m additionally aware of the growing risks that I’ve been advised on and the need to calculate those dangers.” 

 Biden added that since 14 August, 70,700 people had been evacuated from Kabul. Yet, his hesitance to expand the 31 August date disappointed lawmakers at house and leaders overseas who contend that it is a silly decision.

 Going ahead, the G7 leaders said they would “judge the current Afghan leaders by their actions, and not words,” reiterating past warnings to the Taliban not to return to the severe Islamic type of government that they ran when they last held authority from 1996 until the US-led attack removed them in 2001.