Afghanistan: Blair calls US withdrawal tragic and unnecessary

Former UK PM Tony Blair has described the US withdrawal from Afghanistan as “tragic, dangerous, and unnecessary” in his first statement since the fall of Kabul to the Taliban last Sunday.

He said the decision was made “in obedience to an imbecilic slogan about ending ‘the forever wars'”.

Mr Blair led the UK when it invaded the country alongside the US in 2001, following the 11 September attacks.

He said the exit of allied troops would have Jihadist groups “cheering”.

Mr Blair also said that Britain has a “moral obligation” to stay in Afghanistan until “all those who need to be are evacuated”.

The former Labour leader wrote on his website: “We must evacuate and give sanctuary to those to whom we have responsibility – those Afghans who helped us and stood by us and have a right to demand we stand by them.”

He added this should not be done “grudgingly but out of a deep sense of humanity and responsibility”.

Agencies