Taliban promises ‘safe environment’ for foreign diplomats, aid workers

The Taliban on Tuesday pledged to provide a “safe environment” to foreign diplomats and aid organizations after Australia announced it would close its embassy over security concerns.

“The Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan assures all foreign diplomats and staff of humanitarian organizations that (we) will not pose any threats to them,” Taliban spokesman Mohammad Naeem told AFP.

“We will provide a safe environment for their activities,” he said.

Australia’s Prime Minister Scott Morrison said on Tuesday the embassy in Kabul will close this week, underscoring fears about the “increasingly uncertain security environment” in Kabul as foreign troops withdraw.

He said the embassy will reopen “once circumstances permit”

This comes as US and NATO troops continue to withdraw from the country – a task expected to be complete by September 11.