Qatar to represent US diplomatic interests in Afghanistan

Washington, Nov 12 (UNI) The United States and Qatar on Friday signed an agreement to make Doha the representative of the US’ diplomatic interests in Afghanistan, a move that will mark the first official representation for the USA in Kabul since the withdrawal of its troops on August 30.

Qatari Foreign Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani and US Secretary of State Antony Blinken signed the “strategic” agreements on Friday, to make Qatar assume the role of “protecting power” for US interests in Afghanistan.
In his remarks, Blinken said: “We are signing two new agreements that reflect our growing collaboration on Afghanistan. The first establishes Qatar as the US’ Protecting Power in Afghanistan. Qatar will establish a US Interests Section within its embassy in Afghanistan to provide certain consular services and monitor the security of US diplomatic facilities in Afghanistan.
“The second agreement formalizes our partnership with Qatar to facilitate the travel of Afghans with US Special immigrant visas. A role that it’s already been playing in many instances, and serve as a transit point for eligible Afghans as they complete their application process.
“Of the more than 124,000 people evacuated from Afghanistan, roughly half transited through Qatar, and that work continues. Since that time, Qatar has facilitated and funded additional 15 flights out of Afghanistan, enabling hundreds of US citizens, and thousands of others to leave the country. And the government and Qatar Airways continue to support charter flights out of Afghanistan for US Special Visa holders and others,” he said.
Al Thani in his remarks, said: “There is still much to be done in Afghanistan, and Qatar remains committed to continue that necessary work alongside the United States and partners around the world.”
Qatar has earlier played host to negotiations between the US and Taliban that led to the February 2020 agreement for the US to withdraw troops.
Since the Taliban takeover and the US troop withdrawal, the US embassy operations in Kabul have been relocated to Qatar.
The US closed down its embassy in Kabul, which was one of its largest in the world, in August as it became clear that the Western-backed government in Kabul was falling, with diplomats destroying sensitive materials and taking down the flag.
UNI/RN