AFP reported today, citing diplomatic sources, that UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres sent letters to the five permanent members of the United Nations Security Council –the United States, Britain, France, Russia and China—formally inviting them to meet on Aug. 30 to discuss the chaotic situation in Afghanistan, without the other representatives on the Security Council. AFP sources said some member countries of the P5 had been discussing the possibility of a meeting for a few days. “Russia was supposedly reticent but all of the five are expected to join, one diplomat said.”
A spokesperson for Mr. Guterres confirmed the meeting.
The full Security Council, for its part, issued a statement today condemning “in the strongest terms the deplorable attacks” near the Kabul airport yesterday. “Deliberately targeting civilians and personnel assisting in the evacuation of civilians is especially abhorrent and must be condemned,” the statement emphasized. “All parties must respect their obligations under international humanitarian law in all circumstances, including those related to the protection of civilians.”
