Afghan embassy in UK shutters after Taliban cuts ties

LONDON: Afghanistan´s embassy in London closed on Friday after Taliban authorities cut ties with diplomatic missions set up by the previous government in Kabul and fired its UK staff.

An AFP reporter saw a notice hung on the gate to the consular section reading: “The embassy of the Republic of Afghanistan is closed.”

No one answered the door but the country´s flag was still flying.Afghan ambassador to the UK Zalmai Rassoul announced on social media earlier this month that the embassy would close “at the official request of the host country” on September 27.

The UK Foreign Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) denied that it was behind the closure.

“This decision was not made by the UK government,” a spokesperson said. “The State of Afghanistan decided to close the Afghan Embassy in London and dismiss its staff.“We continue to support the people of Afghanistan and provide humanitarian assistance to those most in need.”

The FCDO has not indicated whether a new Afghan ambassador would be accredited in London.

The UK does not recognise the Taliban government as legitimate and does not have formal diplomatic relations with the country.