Macron says France, Britain to propose Kabul safe zone to U.N.

Record ID: 1634116

  • Title: Macron says France, Britain to propose Kabul safe zone to U.N.
  • Date: 29th August 2021
  • Summary: MOSUL, IRAQ (AUGUST 29, 2021) (REUTERS FOR AGENCY POOL) FRENCH PRESIDENT, EMMANUEL MACRON, APPROACHING MICROPHONES (SOUNDBITE) (French) FRENCH PRESIDENT, EMMANUEL MACRON, SAYING: "This is a project that we will carry on with, I think that it is completely feasible, France's job, and that of all of its partners is, very clearly, to do everything to achieve the security of humanitarian operations. It is within this framework that we are bringing this resolution project to the (United Nation) Security Council. I have good hope that it will have a favourable outcome. I cannot see who could oppose enabling the safety of humanitarian operations." MACRON SPEAKING TO JOURNALISTS, WALKING AWAY
  • Embargoed: 12th September 2021 16:59
  • Keywords: Afghanistan Emmanuel Macron France Iraq Taliban conflict foreign policy
  • Location: MOSUL, IRAQ
  • City: MOSUL, IRAQ
  • Country: Iraq
  • Topics: Diplomacy/Foreign Policy,Middle East,Government/Politics
  • Reuters ID: LVA001ESC1XL3
  • Aspect Ratio: 16:9
  • Story Text:France and Britain will submit a resolution to an emergency United Nations meeting due Monday (August 30) proposing a safe zone in Kabul to try and protect people trying to leave Afghanistan, French President Emmanuel Macron said on Sunday (August 29).
    "Our resolution proposal aims to define a safe zone in Kabul, under U.N. control, which would allow humanitarian operations to continue," Macron told French newspaper Le Journal du Dimanche (JDD) in an interview published on Sunday.
    On a visit to Mosul in Iraq, Macron later confirmed the comments and said he was hopeful the resolution would be welcomed favorably.
    "I cannot see who could oppose enabling the safety of humanitarian operations," Macron told reporters.
    U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres is convening a meeting on Afghanistan with the U.N. envoys for Britain, France, the United States, China, and Russia - the Security Council's permanent, veto-wielding members.
    Macron said on Saturday (August 28) that France was holding preliminary discussions with the Taliban about the humanitarian situation in Afghanistan and the possible evacuation of more people.
    U.S. military forces, which have guarded the airport in Kabul, are due to withdraw by a Tuesday deadline set by President Joe Biden. France is among the countries that have also ended evacuations from Kabul airport.
    (Production: Paul Warren, Tara Oakes)
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