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A flight with US citizens and lawful permanent residents that left Afghanistan on Thursday landed safely in Qatar, the White House confirmed, adding that the Taliban were “cooperative” in the effort.
The flight that took off from Hamid Karzai International Airport in Kazul was chartered by Qatar Airways. The White House said the State Department would provide an “accurate” number of the number of passengers on the flight later Thursday.
“We are deeply grateful for Qatar’s continued efforts to facilitate operations at HKIA and help ensure the safety of these charter flights,” National Security Council spokesperson Emily Horne said Thursday. “We have worked extensively within the United States government to ensure the accuracy of the manifesto and the safe departure and transit of the aircraft, and today’s safe flight is the result of diplomacy and of a careful and hard engagement. ”
Horne added that the Taliban “have cooperated to facilitate the departure of US citizens and lawful permanent residents on charter flights from HKIA.”
Horne spoke positively of the Taliban, saying they have “shown flexibility.” “They have been pragmatic and professional in our dealings with them in this effort,” added Horne. “This is a positive first step.”
Horne said the administration “will continue these efforts to facilitate the safe and orderly travel of US citizens, lawful permanent residents and Afghans who have worked for us and wish to leave Afghanistan.”
“Because there is a continuing terrorist threat to operations of this nature, we will not share the details of these efforts until people leave the country safely,” Horne said.
The Biden administration has so far returned more than 6,000 US citizens and lawful permanent residents to the US in what the White House describes as “Operation Allies Welcome.”
“As President Biden said, if you are an American citizen who wants to leave Afghanistan, there is no deadline,” Horne added. “We remain committed to getting them out if they want to get out.”
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