London, August 21

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson has said the UK's diplomatic efforts to find a solution in Afghanistan remain ongoing, which leaves open the prospect of working with the Taliban “if necessary”.

Speaking to the media after a Cabinet Office Briefing Rooms meeting to discuss the crisis in the region on Friday, Johnson said “formidable” challenges remained around the evacuation of British nationals and supporters from Kabul airport but the situation was getting “slightly better”.

“What I want to assure people is that our political and diplomatic efforts to find a solution for Afghanistan, working with the Taliban, of course if necessary, will go on and our commitment to Afghanistan is lasting,” Johnson said.

“The situation is getting slightly better and we are seeing a stablisation at the airport. So yesterday (Thursday) we were able to get out about 1,000 people and today another 1,000,” he said, adding the operation would continue at a fast pace.

"So the operation is becoming faster, but I'm not going to pretend it's easy. The logistical challenges are formidable and they are doing an outstanding job in very difficult circumstances,” he said. Johnson also defended his Foreign Secretary, Dominic Raab, who has come under fire from the Opposition over a missed phone call with his Afghan counterpart. — PTI

No recognition, political talks: EU

BRUSSELS: The European Union has not recognised the Taliban, nor is it holding political talks with them, EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said on Saturday. “We may well hear the Taliban's words but we will measure them above all by their deeds and actions,” she said. Reuters