Turkey says working with Qatar, US on Kabul airport operation

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Taliban forces stand guard at the entrance gate to Hamid Karzai International Airport a day after the withdrawal of US troops from Kabul, Afghanistan on August 31, 2021. REUTERS / Stringer / File Photo

ANKARA, Sept. 7 (Reuters) – Turkey is working with Qatar and the United States on operating Kabul airport and is in talks with the Taliban, Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu said on Tuesday, adding that security at the airport was the main issue.

Cavusoglu told NTV TV station that 19 Turkish technicians were in Kabul, talking to Qataris about the airport.

Turkey has told the Taliban it will not participate in the airport mission unless its units are involved in security. Cavusoglu said the Taliban could provide security outside the airport, but they would need a more reliable mechanism inside.

A private security company could be used for the mission if the Taliban insisted on having no foreign power in Afghanistan, Cavusoglu said.

Reporting by Tuvan Gumrukcu and Ali Kucukgocmen; Editing by Dominic Evans

Our Standards: Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

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