Rome-The Italian government is hoping that the last evacuation flight will depart Afghanistan later on Friday, Foreign Minister Luigi Di Maio told reporters.
“In the next few hours, the last C-130 plane will depart from Kabul Airport,” Dimaio said after meeting Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov in Rome.
Italian military aircraft have taken more than 4,800 Afghans out of the country as of August 26, including more than 1,100 children, the Pentagon said.
Dimaio said the flight would include Italian staff and diplomats coordinating Kabul’s ground-based evacuation efforts after the Taliban took control of the country.
He reiterated that Italy, which will replace the G20 group of 20 major economies this year, is about to host an emergency summit in Afghanistan.
According to diplomatic sources, the day’s event is likely to take place by September 20, and authorities are still working on the agenda. Details will be announced next week.
Dimaio said Russia, a G20 member, is an important partner in addressing the crisis in Afghanistan and is essential to building a unified international approach to the country.
Angelo Amante
