LBCI

Germany's Merkel says some 10-40,000 left in Afghanistan with right to German residence

Middle East

31-08-2021 | 09:13

Share

Share

Germany's Merkel says some 10-40,000 left in Afghanistan with right to German residence

Germany estimates there are still between 10,000 and 40,000 local staff working for development organizations in Afghanistan who have a right to be evacuated to Germany if they feel they are endangered, Chancellor Angela Merkel said on Tuesday.

Speaking at a Berlin news conference with her Austrian counterpart, Merkel said most of those working for the German armed forces and police were already outside Afghanistan, but that, since development aid to Afghanistan had not been stopped, many staff in that field remained in the country.

"For us the focus at the moment is local staff and that's not 300 people, that's probably more like 10-40,000 people, and we will have to see how many of them want to leave the country and how many not," she said.

"As we've seen, nobody takes the decision to leave their home lightly."

REUTERS

Breaking Headlines

Angela Merkel

Germany

Afghanistan

Subscribe to our VOD

SUBSCRIBE

Our visitors readings

Trump says US discussing 'friendly takeover' of Cuba

2026-02-27

Trump says US discussing 'friendly takeover' of Cuba

Berri, Saudi FM discuss Lebanon developments amid ongoing Israeli strikes

2026-04-23

Berri, Saudi FM discuss Lebanon developments amid ongoing Israeli strikes

Protesters, security forces clash in southwest Iran

Middle East News

2026-01-01

Protesters, security forces clash in southwest Iran

Lebanon’s President Aoun offers condolences to Qatar over Barzan plant explosion

2026-06-22

Lebanon’s President Aoun offers condolences to Qatar over Barzan plant explosion

Videos

Lebanon-Israel talks: delegations arrive at US Embassy in Rome — Video

2026-08-06

Lebanon-Israel talks: delegations arrive at US Embassy in Rome — Video

Residents begin returning to Zawtar el-Gharbiyeh, southern Lebanon: Video

2026-07-24

Residents begin returning to Zawtar el-Gharbiyeh, southern Lebanon: Video

Slotkin to LBCI: Lebanese army needs resources to confront Hezbollah, $36 million request submitted for special forces

2026-07-20

Slotkin to LBCI: Lebanese army needs resources to confront Hezbollah, $36 million request submitted for special forces

Lebanon’s ambassador to Washington: trilateral framework agreement first step toward restoring sovereignty

2026-06-26

Lebanon’s ambassador to Washington: trilateral framework agreement first step toward restoring sovereignty

Rubio on Lebanon-Israel framework agreement: 'beginning of the beginning,' more work needed

2026-06-26

Rubio on Lebanon-Israel framework agreement: 'beginning of the beginning,' more work needed

Lebanon, Israel sign trilateral framework agreement after Washington talks attended by Rubio: Video

2026-06-26

Lebanon, Israel sign trilateral framework agreement after Washington talks attended by Rubio: Video

Israeli strikes renew on Choukine, Maifadoun, and Nabatieh al-Fawqa in southern Lebanon: Video

2026-06-20

Israeli strikes renew on Choukine, Maifadoun, and Nabatieh al-Fawqa in southern Lebanon: Video

Massive Israeli strikes hit South Lebanon under ceasefire conditions

2026-06-19

Massive Israeli strikes hit South Lebanon under ceasefire conditions

Trump criticizes Israel’s Lebanon campaign, says war has gone on ‘too long’ and floats Syria role in conflict

2026-06-16

Trump criticizes Israel’s Lebanon campaign, says war has gone on ‘too long’ and floats Syria role in conflict

Most read

24 hours

7 days

Month

Lebanon has not agreed to shortlist of countries that could verify Hezbollah's disarmament: Reuters

1

Lebanon has not agreed to shortlist of countries that could verify Hezbollah's disarmament: Reuters

Dispute between Lebanon’s prime minister and defense minister under discussion, sources say

2

Dispute between Lebanon’s prime minister and defense minister under discussion, sources say

Ali al-Taher hills: Between military confrontation and surrender scenario

3

Ali al-Taher hills: Between military confrontation and surrender scenario

Lebanon Cabinet approves fees on waste-generating products despite ministerial objections

4

Lebanon Cabinet approves fees on waste-generating products despite ministerial objections

Explosion rocks ammunition factory near Rome

5

Explosion rocks ammunition factory near Rome

Lebanon's defense minister apologizes to martyrs' families, vows to defend army's voice

6

Lebanon's defense minister apologizes to martyrs' families, vows to defend army's voice

Lebanon presidency denies media reports on Aoun-Trump meeting

7

Lebanon presidency denies media reports on Aoun-Trump meeting

A new force for Lebanon's south? The debate over who will monitor the next phase after UNIFIL

8

A new force for Lebanon's south? The debate over who will monitor the next phase after UNIFIL

Download now the LBCI mobile app

To see the latest news, the latest daily programs in Lebanon and the world

Google Play

App Store

Download now the LBCI mobile app

We use
cookies

We use cookies to make
your experience on this
website better.

Accept

Learn More