British Prime Minister Boris Johnson said he had called a virtual meeting of Group of Seven leaders next Tuesday to discuss the crisis in Afghanistan and called on governments to find ways to prevent the situation from deteriorating.
Taliban fighters took control of Kabul last weekend, prompting Afghan civilians and military allies to flee the country in search of safety.
Many fear a return to the strict interpretation of Islamic law imposed during the previous Taliban regime, which ended 20 years ago.
Western governments debate how to deal with the situation in Kabul, where thousands of desperate civilians are trying to flee by storming the airport.
“It is imperative that the international community work together to ensure safe withdrawals, avert a humanitarian crisis, and support the Afghan people to secure the rights they have gained over the past 20 years,” Johnson said on Twitter on Sunday.
The United Kingdom holds the rotating leadership of the Group of Seven, which also includes the United States, Italy, France, Germany, Japan and Canada.
White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki said Sunday that US President Joe Biden, who is under fire at home and abroad after ordering the withdrawal of US forces from Afghanistan, will actually meet with G7 leaders to coordinate policy and discuss evacuation and humanitarian aid efforts.
The meeting will build on invitations Biden made this week to Johnson, Angela Merkel, Emmanuel Macron and Italian Prime Minister Mario Draghi.
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