A French delegation met with representatives of the Taliban in Doha on Thursday for the first time since they took power in Afghanistan almost two weeks ago, their spokesperson Suhail Shaheen announced on Twitter.

French envoy François Richier and his delegation "discussed in detail" the situation at Kabul airport with a delegation led by the deputy director of the Taliban political bureau, Sher Abbas Stanikzai, the spokesman said.

IEA delegation headed by Sher M. Abbas Stanikzai, Deputy Director, Political Office, met French envoy François Richier and his delegation in Doha, yesterday.

Political issues and ongoing situation of Afghanistan came under discussion.

- Ahmad Yasir (@ AhmadYasir711) August 27, 2021

Contacted by BFMTV, the Quai d'Orsay confirmed this exchange, referring to “operational contacts” in Kabul as in Doha in the context of evacuations still underway at Kabul airport.

Thousands of people still massed in front of the airport gates

The Taliban have made efforts since their return to display an open and moderate image.

But many Afghans, often urban and educated, fear that the Islamists will institute the same type of fundamentalist and brutal regime only when they were in power between 1996 and 2001.

"Every Afghan in possession of legal documents will be able to travel abroad and appropriate facilities will be provided to all Afghans for their movements after the opening of the civilian part of the airport," said Suhail Shaheen, repeating a pledge already made to several countries.

"Peace is established throughout the country, girls and boys have returned to school and the media are working," he said.

Since their capture of Kabul, thousands of people have gathered daily in front of the airport gates to escape them.

On Thursday, at least 72 of them, plus thirteen American soldiers, perished in a complex attack claimed by the Islamic State group.

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