UNITED NATIONS, United States, Aug 27, 2021 (BSS/AFP) - United Nations
Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Thursday called a meeting of the
permanent members of the Security Council to discuss the chaotic situation in
Afghanistan, diplomats said.

  Guterres sent letters formally inviting the United States, Britain, France,
Russia and China to meet on Monday, the diplomats told AFP.

  Some member countries of the so-called P5 had been discussing the
possibility of a meeting for a few days, they added.

  Russia was supposedly reticent but all of the five are expected to join,
one diplomat said.

  A spokesperson for Guterres confirmed the meeting, which will not include
the current ten non-permanent members of the Security Council.

  The full Security Council last met on Afghanistan on August 16, a day after
the Taliban swept to power in the country.

  Monday's discussion comes as Britain and France work on a UN resolution on
Afghanistan.

  The resolution would require the agreement of all five permanent members,
each of which holds veto powers, but a text has not yet been shared,
diplomats said.

  Guterres ducked a question about what he hoped Monday's meeting would
achieve.

  "There are normal meetings that take place in the context of the work of
the UN," he told reporters.

  Guterres also condemned Thursday's bombings at Kabul airport, which killed
dozens of Afghans as well as 12 US servicemen and have been claimed by the
Islamic State group.

  "This incident underscores the volatility of the situation on the ground in
Afghanistan but also strengthens our resolve as we continue to deliver urgent
assistance across the country in support of the Afghan people," he said in a
statement.