'I don't trust anybody': US President Joe Biden

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Jyoti B
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US President Joe Biden said on Sunday the Taliban have made several promised and it is yet to be seen whether they mean to fulfill them or not as the hardline Islamist group took over Afghanistan, where the situation has been getting worse by the day.

“I don’t trust anybody, including you (the reporter), I love you but there are not a lot of people I trust. Taliban has to make a fundamental decision,” Biden told a reporter during Sunday’s address.

"Taliban has said and we will see whether they mean or not. They are seeking legitimacy to determine whether or not they would be recognised by other countries. They have told other countries as well as us that they do not want us to move our diplomatic presence completely. All this talk now, so far Taliban has not taken actions against US forces," he added.

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He went on to add that the US has been in discussions with the Taliban, who have been cooperative in extending the perimeter around Kabul international airport to facilitate evacuations.

Staving off further criticism over evacuation operations, which has seen his popularity plunge among US voters, Biden said groups of Americans in Kabul are being moved more efficiently and safely to the airport. On Saturday, 3,900 Americans were flown out of Kabul on 23 US military flights.

“We see no reason why this tempo will not be kept up,” he added.

Critics have blasted Biden for a grave error in judgment by waiting too long to begin organizing an evacuation, which became captive to the fear and panic set off by the Afghan government’s sudden collapse under a blistering Taliban offensive.

The Taliban, on their part, have promised amnesty and moderation and said they want to form an “inclusive” government in Afghanistan.

The evacuations are being carried out as the security situation has deteriorated in Afghanistan following the takeover by the Taliban and the collapse of Ashraf Ghani's government.

US military has pulled around 25,100 individuals from Afghanistan since August 14, and approximately 30,000 since the end of July.

US president Joe Biden us Joe Biden Evacuation Afghanistan Taliban issue