DUBLIN, Aug 26, 2021 (BSS/AFP) - France is still seeking to evacuate
hundreds more people from Afghanistan ahead of a looming deadline,
President Emmanuel Macron said on Thursday, warning of an "extremely
risky" situation in the wake of blasts around Kabul airport.

  "We will do everything we can" to bring to France Afghan citizens
and dual nationals who had been in its embassy and are currently
outside the perimeter of the airport in 20 buses, Macron said on a
visit to Ireland.

  "We are talking about several hundred people who are still in
danger," he said. "I cannot guarantee you today that we will be able
to carry out these operations, because the security situation is not
under our control."

  Two explosions rocked Kabul airport Thursday, killing at least six
people and injuring a dozen others after Western nations warned of an
imminent terror threat.

  The French president described the situation after the blasts as
confused and said he could not offer additional information on
casualties. But he added: "It is clear that tension is rising. The
next hours will continue to be extremely risky at Kabul and the
airport."

  Prime Minister Jean Castex said earlier that France would fully end
its operation to evacuate French nationals and Afghans in danger from
Taliban-controlled Kabul by Friday evening.

  According to Defence Minister Florence Parly, France has evacuated
some 2,700 people via Abu Dhabi since the Taliban takeover of Kabul on
August 15.

  Macron also confirmed that the French ambassador to Kabul, David
Martinon, who had been working from the airport, would leave
Afghanistan on the final French flight from the city and work from
Paris.

  "In these security conditions the ambassador will not stay on the
territory of Afghanistan," he said.