Chancellor Angela Merkel makes no apologies but calls for continued support in Afghanistan | DW News

Germany will continue to support Afghans after the August 31 deadline, Chancellor Angela Merkel has told lawmakers. She added that Berlin would also not "shy away" from talks with the Taliban.

Germany is working "intensively" to evacuate Afghan staff ahead of a looming deadline, Chancellor Angela Merkel told lawmakers in the Bundestag on Wednesday.

Merkel's remarks came after US President Joe Biden ruled out extending the deadline for evacuations beyond August 31.

German military aircraft have so far rescued over 4,600 people including German citizens and local support workers, according to the German Defense Ministry.

Merkel said that Germany would still try to help Afghans who worked with its soldiers and aid organisations and wish to leave Afghanistan even after the deadline.

"The end of the air bridge in a few days must not mean the end of efforts to protect Afghan helpers and help those Afghans who have been left in a bigger emergency with the takeover of the Taliban," she said.

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