State Department | Since the U.S. military airlift ended, private charter flights have been able to safely evacuate 129 additional U.S. citizens, hundreds still remain;

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The U.S. hopes that regular commercial services can be restored to the Hamid Karzai International Airport in Kabul.

The fact that the Taliban have allowed Qatar Airways charter flights to depart with Americans and Afghans is seen as “a positive step” in upholding the Taliban’s commitment to free passage, but the U.S. and its European allies are seeking a firmer commitment.

“We are not satisfied, and we are continuing to press the Taliban to see to it that U.S. citizens, that lawful permanent residents, and those Afghans to whom we have a special commitment are able to depart the country if they so choose,” said Price, noting that a senior U.S. delegation met with senior Taliban officials in Doha over the weekend.

“Free passage, freedom of movement, was key to that agenda. It has been key to every single one of our engagements with the Taliban in recent weeks, because it is of paramount importance to us.”

“We have also been in constant touch with Americans in Afghanistan who have expressed an interest in departing,” Price said. “We reach out to them, we determine their status, we determine their intent, we determine what travel documents they may or may not have on them, and we in turn then work with our partners on these charter operations to facilitate their departure, if they so choose.”

SOURCE: WASHINGTONEXAMINER