UK won’t abandon Afghanistan

Britain will not abandon Afghanistan, Prime Minister Boris Johnson vowed on Friday, even as he confirmed the imminent withdrawal of most embassy staff in the face of a rapid Taliban onslaught. 

Defence Secretary Ben Wallace said President Joe Biden's decision to withdraw US troops, forcing Nato allies to follow suit, "leaves a very big problem on the ground" and handed momentum to the Taliban.

Johnson, however, said after convening crisis talks with senior cabinet colleagues that the West retained a strategic interest in backing the beleaguered Kabul government.

"I think we have got to be realistic about the power of the UK or any power to impose a military solution -- a combat solution -- in Afghanistan," he told reporters.

"What we certainly can do is work with all our partners in the region, around the world, who share an interest with us in preventing Afghanistan once again becoming a breeding ground for terror.

"What we must do now is not turn our backs on Afghanistan," he stressed, adding that Britain could be "extremely proud" of its role in the country, especially in advancing girls' education -- gains that are now imperilled by the Taliban advance.