US has transferred diplomatic presence from Kabul to Doha: Blinken

The US has transferred its diplomatic presence from Kabul, Afghanistan to Doha, Qatar, Secretary of State Antony Blinken announced Monday.

With the US earlier in the day announcing the completion of the pullout of all its forces from Afghanistan, ending the 20-year war, Blinken said at a press conference in Washington that “a new chapter of America's engagement with Afghanistan has begun.”

“It's one in which we will lead with our diplomacy,” he stressed. “The military mission is over. A new diplomatic mission has begun.”

“As of today, we suspended our diplomatic presence in Kabul and transferred our operations to Doha, Qatar, which will soon be formally notified to Congress,” he said.

“Given the uncertain security environment, political situation in Afghanistan, it was the prudent step to take,” he added.

More than 123,000 people, including 6,000 American citizens, have been safely flown out of Afghanistan, according to Blinken.

“This has been a massive military, diplomatic and humanitarian undertaking – one of the most difficult in our nation's history,” he said.

Blinken also said that less than 200 Americans, closer to 100, remain in Afghanistan and want to leave.