UK and Taliban in talks over terrorism prevention

Sir Simon Gass, the chair of the joint intelligence committee, has held talks with Taliban leaders to seek assurances that the country will not become a base for international terrorists.

Gass, who has been named by Boris Johnson as his special representative for Afghan transition, travelled to Doha in Qatar a few days ago, where most of the Taliban’s exiled leadership is based, to talk to Afghanistan’s new rulers as UK, US and other western troops pulled out. It is believed that the talks were predominantly focused on negotiations for the safe passage out of Afghanistan for British nationals and Afghans who worked with UK forces.

A Downing Street spokesperson said: “The Prime Minister’s special representative, Simon Gass, has travelled to Doha and is meeting with senior Taliban representatives to underline the importance of safe passage out of Afghanistan for British nationals, and those Afghans who have worked with us over the past 20 years.”

While the local Islamic State affiliate, ISKP, claimed responsibility for a terror attack that killed nearly 200 people at the airport last week, the group is hostile to the Taliban and does not have the capability to strike abroad. However, British security agencies are concerned that the Taliban could allow jihadist groups to set up training camps similar to those run by al-Qaida before September 11.