British officials open talks with Taliban about getting UK citizens and allies out of Afghanistan

BRITISH officials and the Taliban are in talks over how to secure “safe passage” out of Afghanistan for British nationals and Afghan allies. UK spies have also reportedly held discussions with the Taliban, to seek assurances Afghanistan won’t be used to launch terror attacks. AFPSenior members of the Taliban leadership in Doha[/caption] Gov.co.ukSir Simon Gass is to meet Taliban leaders[/caption] The final flight from Kabul landed in the UK on Sunday, ending the biggest military evacuation in 80 years. Some 15,000 Afghans and UK nationals have been extricated so far but there are fears up to 9000 people at risk may still be there. Downing Street confirmed Sir Simon Gass, the Prime Minister’s special representative for Afghan transition, has travelled to Qatar and is meeting with “senior Taliban representatives”. Officials are expected to arrive within the next 48 hours and will focus on helping UK nationals, interpreters and other Afghans who were employed by the UK. There will also be efforts to evacuate those Afghans judged most at risk. A No 10 spokesman said Mr Gass “has travelled to Doha and is meeting with senior Taliban representatives”. Most read in The Sun 'HE STARTED SHOUTING' Kerry Katona gives back £20,000 Rottweiler after it savages son's arm FIEND'S CONFESSION Levi Bellfield confesses to being in area on day Russells were murdered LILIBET MEET…LILIBET Meghan and Harry make audacious bid for UK summit with the Queen 'OTHER WOMAN' There were 3 of us in my relationship: Me, Zack & his EastEnders lover Maisie VILLA THRILLERS Love Island girls share epic transformations as they enjoy new glam lives LITTLE OX Little Mix's Perrie and footie ace Alex finally reveal their newborn son's name He will “underline the importance of safe passage out of Afghanistan for British nationals, and those Afghans who have worked with us over the past 20 years.” Meanwhile discussions between MI6 officers are believed to have taken place in the past fortnight in the capital Kabul and Doha, Qatar, following the Taliban’s lightning victory over the government. Doha is where the Taliban’s leadership has been based while in exile, after being kicked out of power in 2001, following the 9/11 terror attacks. A source told the Telegraph: “It’s what we’ve always been most worried about. That’s a red line for dealing with them – any sign of attack planning.” The move comes after the head of the US Central Intelligence Agency met Taliban chief Abdul Ghani Baradar. MI6 chief Richard Moore also flew to the region at the end of last week urgent talks with the head of the army in Pakistan. In an unprecedented move, details of a trip were made public by authorities in Islamabad. The Taliban hosted Al-Qaeda terrorists and allowed them to set up training camps in Afghanistan, from where they launched terror attacks. After 9/11 the US demanded they handed over jihadi terror group’s leader Osama bin Laden but they refused prompting American and its allies to invade and topple the Taliban. TALKS WITH THE TALIBAN After they are now back in power, fears have been raised Afghanistan could once again been a breeding ground for terrorism. The country is home a branch of ISIS, which claimed responsibility for the Kabul airport suicide bombing that resulted in the death of 170 Afghans and 13 US Marines. Al-Qaeda itself may also be beginning to reassert itself and this week a former close aide of Osama bin Laden has returned to Afghanistan just hours before the final withdrawal of US troops. Amin ul-Haq, who was responsible for guarding terror chief and arming the group, was filmed returning to his hometown in the Nangahar province of Afghanistan. An Afghan child being evacuated We pay for your stories! Do you have a story for The Sun news desk? Email us at exclusive@the-sun.co.uk or call 02077824104. You can WhatsApp us on 07423 720 250. We pay for videos too. Click here to upload yours Click here to get The Sun newspaper delivered for FREE for the next six weeks.