- Title: France's Macron says situation has "profoundy deteriorated" in Afghanistan
- Date: 26th August 2021
- Summary: DUBLIN, IRELAND (AUGUST 26, 2021) (AGENCY POOL) FRENCH PRESIDENT EMMANUEL MACRON AND IRISH PRIME MINISTER MICHAEL MARTIN WALKING DOWN STAIRS AND WALKING TOWARDS DESKS PHOTOGRAPHERS TAKING PICTURES OF MACRON AND MARTIN (SOUNDBITE) (French) FRENCH PRESIDENT, EMMANUEL MACRON, SAYING: "(On) the question of Afghanistan, at this moment, the situation has profoundly deteriorated around the military airport. And I would like to thank our teams once again for their commitment, who are doing their best to continue the work we have started, the work of international solidarity, humanitarian right and protection of our citizens, citizens of friendly countries and of all Afghans who must be protected for who they are or for the fights they are involved in." MACRON AND MARTIN (SOUNDBITE) (French) FRENCH PRESIDENT, EMMANUEL MACRON, SAYING: "It has been a few days that France and other allies have been doing their best in this situation. We will keep doing so as long as the conditions will allow it at the airport. And at the moment I am speaking, we are in an extremely tense situation, leading us to coordinating with our American allies and to call everyone to remain cautious in this situation we can't control." PHOTOGRAPHERS (SOUNDBITE) (French) FRENCH PRESIDENT, EMMANUEL MACRON, SAYING: "It is obvious that the tension is increasing greatly. We have all known that risk since the beginning, considering the confusion in Kabul and the tension has been there since the beginning at the military airport. The next hours will remain extremely dangerous in Kabul and at the airport."
- Embargoed: 9th September 2021 16:41
- Keywords: Emmanuel Macron French President Ireland visit Ireland-France Irish President Michael Higgins bilateral meeting presser
- Location: DUBLIN, IRELAND
- City: DUBLIN, IRELAND
- Country: Ireland
- Topics: Diplomacy/Foreign Policy,Europe,Government/Politics
- Reuters ID: LVA002ERX3KNB
- Aspect Ratio: 16:9
- Story Text: The situation in Afghanistan has profoundly deteriorated, French President Emmanuel Macron said on Thursday (August 26) while visiting Ireland, as a suspected suicide bomb exploded outside the airport and killed at least 13 people.
"We are facing an extremely tense situation," Macron told a joint news conference with Irish Prime Minister Micheal Martin, calling for caution.
He said France's ambassador in Afghanistan would not remain in the country for security reasons, adding French special forces were at the airport.
He added that talks with the Taliban in Afghanistan were underway as buses with French citizens and people France wants to protect are at the entrance of Kabul airport.
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