Afghanistan: Qatar calls for a “clear” agreement with the Taliban to operate Kabul airport

The ability of the Islamists to revive international traffic in Kabul is seen as crucial for the country’s diplomatic relations. The Taliban regime has consolidated its hold on the country since the departure of the Americans at the end of August, after twenty years of a war triggered by the attacks of September 11, 2001. Key mediator in the Afghan crisis, Qatar warned, Tuesday, September 14, that he would not endorse any ” responsibility “ in the operation of the airport in the Afghan capital without an agreement ” clear “ concluded, in particular with the Taliban, concerning the latter’s activities.

“We need to be sure that everything is approached very clearly, otherwise (…) we will not be able to take responsibility for the airport ”, said Qatari Foreign Minister Mohammed ben Abderrahmane Al Thani. “For now, the status [de l’exploitation de l’aéroport par Doha] is still under negotiation because we need an agreement which is clear for all, for all parties ”, he clarified.

This agreement will define “Who will be in charge of the technical aspect, who will take charge of the security aspects”, added the minister. “The possibility of cooperation exists with other countries if necessary, but, for the moment, this discussion takes place only between us, Turkey and the Taliban”, he stressed.

First commercial flight

Qatar has helped the Taliban rehabilitate Kabul airport. A plane providing the first international, non-commercial passenger evacuation flight took off on September 9 from Kabul to Doha, followed by another the next day. Qatar Airways planes also made humanitarian flights to Kabul. On Monday, a plane making the first commercial flight touched down on the tarmac at Kabul airport, coming from Islamabad.

At the end of August, Kabul airport was the scene of scenes of chaos with thousands of Afghans desperately trying to board the gigantic airlift organized by several countries, to flee the country, at the hands of the Taliban. . In total, more than 123,000 people, mainly Afghans, had been evacuated. Many have landed in Gulf countries, including Qatar, which has become a key player in the Afghan crisis, taking on the role of influential mediator after having hosted talks between the Taliban and the United States for years.

On Sunday, Al Thani was the first senior foreign official to meet with the new Taliban government. Monday he called the “National reconciliation” like ” safety valve “ for the stability of Afghanistan.