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Beneath-pressure Dominic Raab has continued the UK’s push for a world response to the Taliban’s takeover of Afghanistan.
Having been hit by calls for to resign over his dealing with of the disaster, the international secretary on Thursday carried on with a collection of calls together with his counterparts internationally.
Mr Raab spoke with each Wang Yi, China’s international minister, and Marise Payne, Australia’s international minister, in addition to chairing a digital assembly of G7 international ministers.
His diplomatic scramble got here as opposition events known as for him to go following the revelation he final week declined to name the Afghan international minister – because the Taliban closed in on Kabul – whereas he was on vacation in Crete.
Downing Road mentioned they’d “full confidence” in Mr Raab.
And, requested by reporters on Thursday morning if he deliberate to resign over the matter, the international secretary replied: “No.”
Thursday’s digital assembly of G7 international ministers, chaired by Mr Raab because the UK at present holds the G7 presidency, preceded a deliberate digital assembly of G7 leaders early subsequent week – which can now be held a minimum of seven days after Afghanistan’s capital Kabul was seized by the Taliban.
In an announcement after Thursday’s assembly, Mr Raab mentioned the G7 ministers had “underlined the significance of the Taliban holding to their commitments to make sure the safety of civilians” and have been “deeply involved by reviews of violent reprisals in elements of Afghanistan”.
“The G7 ministers known as for the Taliban to ensure secure passage to international nationals and Afghans wanting to go away,” he added in an announcement.
“G7 ministers additionally mentioned the significance of shut and efficient cooperation amongst us so as to permit evacuations from Kabul.
“G7 ministers mentioned the significance of the worldwide group offering secure and authorized resettlement routes.
“They concurred that the Taliban should be sure that Afghanistan doesn’t grow to be host to a terrorist risk to worldwide safety.”
After Mr Raab’s name with Mr Wang, the Chinese language international minister was quoted as telling the international secretary that the worldwide group ought to “encourage and information” Afghanistan following the Taliban takeover, somewhat than “exerting extra strain”.
China has not formally recognised the Taliban as Afghanistan’s new rulers, however Mr Wang final month hosted Mullah Baradar, chief of the Taliban’s political workplace, in Tianjin and mentioned the group have been anticipated to play an essential position in Afghanistan’s peace and reconstruction course of.
Within the name with Mr Raab, Mr Wang additionally mentioned the worldwide group shouldn’t use Afghanistan as a geopolitical battleground however ought to respect its independence and the desire of its folks, China’s ministry of international affairs mentioned in an announcement.
After Downing Road launched photos of Mr Raab’s name with Mr Wang, Labour deputy chief Angela Rayner tweeted: “Bit late mate. Until you are ringing the prime minister to resign we’re probably not bothered about your PR images of you pretending to be on the telephone.
“Clear your desk and do us all a favour.”
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