Afghan embassy to close in London as Taliban sacks all staff

9 September 2024, 13:45 | Updated: 9 September 2024, 15:24

The Afghan embassy in London is set to close after the Taliban sacked all staff based there.

Afghanistan's ambassador to the UK, Zalmai Rassoul, said in a post on X the embassy will close on 27 September "at the official request of the host country".

The move follows the Taliban's announcement in July it would no longer recognise embassies set up by the previous regime - including the mission in Kensington.

Mr Rassoul said: "We thank and appreciate all colleagues, citizens, and related institutions who have sincerely co-operated with the Afghan Embassy in London during this period."

A spokesman for the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office said: "The embassy is being closed following the dismissal of its staff by the Taliban."

Many Afghan embassies in Europe continued to operate after the fall of Kabul in August 2021, but others, including the posting in Washington DC, have been forced to close.

The Taliban is not recognised by the UK as the legitimate government of Afghanistan and moved its embassy from Kabul to Qatar.

Read more:
The struggle for women's equality in Afghanistan
Two killed in public execution ordered by Taliban

The British government has previously said there is "no alternative to engaging pragmatically with the current administration".

The UK continues to work with other nations to provide humanitarian support to the Afghan people, according to the government.

(c) Sky News 2024: Afghan embassy to close in London as Taliban sacks all staff