Australia will close its embassy in Afghanistan within days as international troops have started to leave the country.
Australia’s Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade officials will instead visit Afghanistan from other residential posts in the region, according to The Canberra Times.
“It is Australia’s expectation that this measure will be temporary and that we will resume a permanent presence in Kabul once circumstances permit,” Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison said on Tuesday.
“This form of diplomatic representation is common practice around the world. It does not alter our commitment to Afghanistan or its people,” he said.
Quoted by The Canberra Times, Morrison said the departure of Australian and allied forces over the next few months brought with it an increasingly uncertain security environment.
“The government has been advised that security arrangements could not be provided to support our ongoing diplomatic presence,” he said.
The embassy in Kabul will close on Friday, May 28.
Australia has around 80 troops in Afghanistan who will leave the country by September.
