Australia To Close Kabul Embassy

Australia has announced it will close its embassy in Afghanistan on May 28 “in light of the imminent international military withdrawal”. In a statement Prime Minister Scott Morrison and Foreign Minister Marise Payne said the “temporary” move will see Australia “as an interim measure revert to the model of visiting accreditation for our diplomatic representation”. Since 2001, Australia has provided $1.51 billion in development and humanitarian assistance to Afghanistan and remains committed to supporting an Afghan-led peaceful resolution, they said. Last month, Morrison had announced that the remaining 80 Australian troops in Afghanistan would be withdrawn.