Taliban fighters wave from the back of a pickup truck, in Kabul, Afghanistan, on August 30, 2021. AP
Taliban fighters wave from the back of a pickup truck, in Kabul, Afghanistan, on August 30, 2021. AP
Taliban fighters wave from the back of a pickup truck, in Kabul, Afghanistan, on August 30, 2021. AP
Taliban fighters wave from the back of a pickup truck, in Kabul, Afghanistan, on August 30, 2021. AP

World

UN votes to demand safe passage in Afghanistan

Taliban pledge that Afghans will be able to travel after Tuesday's evacuation deadline

The National

August 30, 2021

  • English
  • Arabic

The UN Security Council adopted a resolution on Monday requiring the Taliban to honour their commitment to let people freely leave Afghanistan, but the measure did not mention a "safe zone" as brought up by French President Emmanuel Macron.

The resolution offered by France, the UK and the US says that the Taliban pledges Afghans will be able to travel abroad and leave the country by air or ground, “including at the reopened and secured Kabul airport, with no one preventing them from travelling.”

The vote was 13 in favour, with Russia and China abstaining.

The council also called for “strengthened efforts” to provide humanitarian assistance to Afghanistan and to allow for “full, safe, and unhindered access for the United Nations” and its agencies.

The resolution also "reaffirms the importance" of upholding human rights, including those of children, women and minorities, and encourages all parties to seek an inclusive, negotiated political settlement with the "full, equal and meaningful representation of women".

The text also calls for Afghanistan to "not be used to threaten or attack any country or to shelter or train terrorists, or to plan or to finance terrorist acts".

Although it was unclear how the international community will ensure safe passage through the airport without an international force, diplomats said that tools such as sanctions were available to coax the Taliban into action.

Officials from Turkey and Qatar have acknowledged discussions for them to take over operations at the airport.

Mr Macron raised hopes of more concrete proposals in comments published in the weekly Journal du Dimanche at the weekend.

He said Paris and London would present a draft resolution that would define a safe zone in Kabul where humanitarian operations could continue under UN control.

But the UN resolution on the table is far less ambitious. It is not clear whether another resolution proposing a safe zone will be circulated later.

A Taliban fighter stands near a vehicle that was used to fire rockets at the Hamid Karzai International Airport in Kabul, Afghanistan. EPA
A Taliban fighter stands near a vehicle that was used to fire rockets at the Hamid Karzai International Airport in Kabul, Afghanistan. EPA
Multiple rockets fired from a car landed near the Kabul airport on Monday. EPA
Multiple rockets fired from a car landed near the Kabul airport on Monday. EPA
People watch remnants of flames after rockets were fired towards Kabul's international airport and intercepted by a missile defence system. Reuters
People watch remnants of flames after rockets were fired towards Kabul's international airport and intercepted by a missile defence system. Reuters
People stand by the shell of a vehicle damaged by a rocket attack. AP
People stand by the shell of a vehicle damaged by a rocket attack. AP
Remnants of flames from cars where rockets were fired towards Kabul's international airport. Reuters
Remnants of flames from cars where rockets were fired towards Kabul's international airport. Reuters
Taliban fighters stand guard outside the Hamid Karzai International Airport in Kabul. EPA
Taliban fighters stand guard outside the Hamid Karzai International Airport in Kabul. EPA
Smoke billows at the scene following an explosion near the airport in Kabul. EPA
Smoke billows at the scene following an explosion near the airport in Kabul. EPA
A fighter for anti-Taliban forces patrols along a road in Rah-e Tang, Panjshir province. AFP
A fighter for anti-Taliban forces patrols along a road in Rah-e Tang, Panjshir province. AFP
Damage caused by the attack near the airport in Kabul. EPA
Damage caused by the attack near the airport in Kabul. EPA
An Afghan resistance movement fighter stands guard on a road in Rah-e Tang. AFP
An Afghan resistance movement fighter stands guard on a road in Rah-e Tang. AFP
A US Marine carries a baby as the family is processed through the Evacuation Control Centre at the airport in Kabul. AFP
A US Marine carries a baby as the family is processed through the Evacuation Control Centre at the airport in Kabul. AFP
Families flown from Kabul, Afghanistan, arrive at Washington Dulles International Airport, in Chantilly, Virginia. AP
Families flown from Kabul, Afghanistan, arrive at Washington Dulles International Airport, in Chantilly, Virginia. AP
A fighter for the anti-Taliban forces stands guard in Rah-e Tang, Panjshir province. AFP
A fighter for the anti-Taliban forces stands guard in Rah-e Tang, Panjshir province. AFP
Mohammed Jan Sultani's father, Ali, right, looks at his son's Taekwondo championship certificates along with pictures of him in Kabul. Mr Sultani had clutched his national Taekwondo championship certificates as he waded through the multitudes pushing to get into Kabul airport late last week. AP
Mohammed Jan Sultani's father, Ali, right, looks at his son's Taekwondo championship certificates along with pictures of him in Kabul. Mr Sultani had clutched his national Taekwondo championship certificates as he waded through the multitudes pushing to get into Kabul airport late last week. AP
Taliban fighters guard a checkpoint on the main street in Kabul. Reuters
Taliban fighters guard a checkpoint on the main street in Kabul. Reuters
The Taliban's acting Higher Education Minister Abdul Baqi Haqqani gestures while speaking during a consultative meeting on higher education policies at the Loya Jirga Hall in Kabul. AFP
The Taliban's acting Higher Education Minister Abdul Baqi Haqqani gestures while speaking during a consultative meeting on higher education policies at the Loya Jirga Hall in Kabul. AFP
Militiamen loyal to Ahmad Massoud, son of the late Ahmad Shah Massoud, take part in a training exercise, in Panjshir province, northeastern Afghanistan. AP
Militiamen loyal to Ahmad Massoud, son of the late Ahmad Shah Massoud, take part in a training exercise, in Panjshir province, northeastern Afghanistan. AP
The Panjshir Valley is the last region not under Taliban control following their stunning blitz across Afghanistan. AP
The Panjshir Valley is the last region not under Taliban control following their stunning blitz across Afghanistan. AP
People flown from Afghanistan walk to board a flight bound for the US, at the Naval Air Station Sigonella, in Italy, on Saturday. AP
People flown from Afghanistan walk to board a flight bound for the US, at the Naval Air Station Sigonella, in Italy, on Saturday. AP
Caskets carrying the remains of soldiers killed at Hamid Karzai International Airport in Kabul are placed on board an aircraft for their return to the US. AP
Caskets carrying the remains of soldiers killed at Hamid Karzai International Airport in Kabul are placed on board an aircraft for their return to the US. AP

"This resolution is not an operational aspect. It's much more on principles, key political messages and warnings," a UN diplomat said.

UN diplomats said compromises had to be made to accommodate concerns voiced over the weekend by Russia and China, which have veto power in the Security Council.

"This is a pretty thin text," Richard Gowan, UN expert at the International Crisis Group, told AFP.

"Macron was guilty of overselling the idea of a safe zone at Kabul airport this weekend, or at least not communicating very clearly.

"The resolution does at least send a political signal to the Taliban about the need to keep the airport open and help the UN deliver aid."

UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres was expected to meet ambassadors from the permanent Security Council members – France, the UK, US, China and Russia – on Monday evening.

LILO & STITCH

Starring: Sydney Elizebeth Agudong, Maia Kealoha, Chris Sanders

Director: Dean Fleischer Camp

Rating: 4.5/5

Dubai works towards better air quality by 2021

Dubai is on a mission to record good air quality for 90 per cent of the year – up from 86 per cent annually today – by 2021.

The municipality plans to have seven mobile air-monitoring stations by 2020 to capture more accurate data in hourly and daily trends of pollution.

These will be on the Palm Jumeirah, Al Qusais, Muhaisnah, Rashidiyah, Al Wasl, Al Quoz and Dubai Investment Park.

“It will allow real-time responding for emergency cases,” said Khaldoon Al Daraji, first environment safety officer at the municipality.

“We’re in a good position except for the cases that are out of our hands, such as sandstorms.

“Sandstorms are our main concern because the UAE is just a receiver.

“The hotspots are Iran, Saudi Arabia and southern Iraq, but we’re working hard with the region to reduce the cycle of sandstorm generation.”

Mr Al Daraji said monitoring as it stood covered 47 per cent of Dubai.

There are 12 fixed stations in the emirate, but Dubai also receives information from monitors belonging to other entities.

“There are 25 stations in total,” Mr Al Daraji said.

“We added new technology and equipment used for the first time for the detection of heavy metals.

“A hundred parameters can be detected but we want to expand it to make sure that the data captured can allow a baseline study in some areas to ensure they are well positioned.”

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It Was Just an Accident

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Stars: Vahid Mobasseri, Mariam Afshari, Ebrahim Azizi, Hadis Pakbaten, Majid Panahi, Mohamad Ali Elyasmehr

Rating: 4/5

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PROFILE OF HALAN

Started: November 2017

Founders: Mounir Nakhla, Ahmed Mohsen and Mohamed Aboulnaga

Based: Cairo, Egypt

Sector: transport and logistics

Size: 150 employees

Investment: approximately $8 million

Investors include: Singapore’s Battery Road Digital Holdings, Egypt’s Algebra Ventures, Uber co-founder and former CTO Oscar Salazar

THE BIO

Family: I have three siblings, one older brother (age 25) and two younger sisters, 20 and 13 

Favourite book: Asking for my favourite book has to be one of the hardest questions. However a current favourite would be Sidewalk by Mitchell Duneier

Favourite place to travel to: Any walkable city. I also love nature and wildlife 

What do you love eating or cooking: I’m constantly in the kitchen. Ever since I changed the way I eat I enjoy choosing and creating what goes into my body. However, nothing can top home cooked food from my parents. 

Favorite place to go in the UAE: A quiet beach.

The years Ramadan fell in May

1987

1954

1921

1888

The specs
 
Engine: 3.0-litre six-cylinder turbo
Power: 398hp from 5,250rpm
Torque: 580Nm at 1,900-4,800rpm
Transmission: Eight-speed auto
Fuel economy, combined: 6.5L/100km
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What is Diwali?

The Hindu festival is at once a celebration of the autumn harvest and the triumph of good over evil, as outlined in the Ramayana.

According to the Sanskrit epic, penned by the sage Valmiki, Diwali marks the time that the exiled king Rama – a mortal with superhuman powers – returned home to the city of Ayodhya with his wife Sita and brother Lakshman, after vanquishing the 10-headed demon Ravana and conquering his kingdom of Lanka. The people of Ayodhya are believed to have lit thousands of earthen lamps to illuminate the city and to guide the royal family home.

In its current iteration, Diwali is celebrated with a puja to welcome the goodness of prosperity Lakshmi (an incarnation of Sita) into the home, which is decorated with diyas (oil lamps) or fairy lights and rangoli designs with coloured powder. Fireworks light up the sky in some parts of the word, and sweetmeats are made (or bought) by most households. It is customary to get new clothes stitched, and visit friends and family to exchange gifts and greetings.  

 

While you're here
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UAE currency
On Women's Day
The specs: 2019 Haval H6

Price, base: Dh69,900

Engine: 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder

Transmission: Seven-speed automatic

Power: 197hp @ 5,500rpm

Torque: 315Nm @ 2,000rpm

Fuel economy, combined: 7.0L / 100km

EA Sports FC 26

Publisher: EA Sports

Consoles: PC, PlayStation 4/5, Xbox Series X/S

Rating: 3/5

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The specs

AT4 Ultimate, as tested

Engine: 6.2-litre V8

Power: 420hp

Torque: 623Nm

Transmission: 10-speed automatic

Price: From Dh330,800 (Elevation: Dh236,400; AT4: Dh286,800; Denali: Dh345,800)

On sale: Now

UFC Fight Night 2

1am – Early prelims

2am – Prelims

4am-7am – Main card

7:30am-9am – press cons

Our legal advisor

Ahmad El Sayed is Senior Associate at Charles Russell Speechlys, a law firm headquartered in London with offices in the UK, Europe, the Middle East and Hong Kong.

Experience: Commercial litigator who has assisted clients with overseas judgments before UAE courts. His specialties are cases related to banking, real estate, shareholder disputes, company liquidations and criminal matters as well as employment related litigation. 

Education: Sagesse University, Beirut, Lebanon, in 2005.

The specs

Engine: 2.0-litre 4-cylinder turbo

Power: 240hp at 5,500rpm

Torque: 390Nm at 3,000rpm

Transmission: eight-speed auto

Price: from Dh122,745

On sale: now

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De De Pyaar De

Produced: Luv Films, YRF Films
Directed: Akiv Ali
Cast: Ajay Devgn, Tabu, Rakul Preet Singh, Jimmy Sheirgill, Jaaved Jaffrey
Rating: 3.5/5 stars

KYLIAN MBAPPE 2016/17 STATS

Ligue 1: Appearances - 29, Goals - 15, Assists - 8
UCL: Appearances - 9, Goals - 6
French Cup: Appearances - 3, Goals - 3
France U19: Appearances - 5, Goals - 5, Assists - 1

While you're here
On Women's Day
Updated: August 30, 2021, 8:37 PM`
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