Daily US Times: As the final five US military aircraft lifted off out of Kabul airport, they left behind thousands of desperate Afghans and up to 200 Americans who could not get out and now must depend on the Taliban to allow their departure.

Secretary of State Antony Blinken said the United States will continue to try to get Afghans and Americans out of the country. Mr Blinken said the US will work with neighboring countries of Afghanistan to secure their departure either over land or by charter flight once the Kabul airport reopens.

He said: “We have no illusion that any of this will be easy, or rapid,” adding that the total number of Americans who are in Afghanistan and still want to leave may be closer to 100.

Speaking shortly after the Pentagon announced the completion of the US military withdwaral Monday, the Secretary of State said the US Embassy in Kabul will remain shuttered and vacant for the foreseeable future. He said that American diplomats will be based in Doha, Qatar.

In an address from the State Department, Blinken said: “We will continue our relentless efforts to help Americans, foreign nationals and Afghans leave Afghanistan if they choose. Our commitment to them holds no deadline.”

The head of US Central Command, Marine General Frank McKenzie, told journalists the US military was able to get as many as 1,500 Afghans out in the final hours of the evacuation mission, but now it will be up to the State Department working with the Taliban to get any more people out.

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