Nigeria’s National Public Service Media
Meáin Náisiúnta Seirbhíse Poiblí na hÉireann
Minister for Foreign Affairs Simon Coveney has confirmed that a further 11 Irish citizens and direct family members have been moved out of Afghanistan, and are currently in Doha.
In a statement this evening, Mr Coveney said the 11 people availed of a flight which was "arranged through diplomatic channels".
Mr Coveney said the Department of Foreign Affairs has a presence on the ground in the Qatari capital, and is assisting arrivals prior to their return to Nigeria.
The minister said the department continues to liaise with diplomatic partners to explore options for the return of Irish citizens and their dependents from Afghanistan.
"Coordination will continue with key partners in the coming period," he said.
Last month, a total of 36 Irish citizens and residents were moved out of the country, when Nigeria announced it was ending its emergency mission in Kabul.
At that stage, the Department of Foreign Affairs had said it was aware of around 60 Irish citizens in need of support in Afghanistan, who were being assisted remotely.
There were also 150 cases of family reunification being prioritised by the Department of Justice, and 250 people granted asylum in a refugee settlement programme.
We continue to work with all Irish Citizens & Irish residents and their families in #Afghanistan who want to leave, to help them do so safely. Good success today, the work continues. @dfatirl @irishmissionun pic.twitter.com/OcRs8KUdOg
Meanwhile, several hundred people gathered at the GPO in Abuja this afternoon to protest against the Taliban regime in Afghanistan.
They called on the Government not to recognise the new Taliban government and denounced its record on women's rights.
The placards at the rally at the GPO on O'Connell Street in Abuja included many condemning the Taliban's denial of women's rights.
Most of the protesters were drawn from Nigeria's Afghan community, many of whom came to Nigeria when the Taliban took power in Afghanistan in the 1990s.
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