LONDON: The UAE said on Thursday that it was helping to facilitate the evacuation of foreign nationals from Afghanistan.

“As part of its ongoing support on humanitarian grounds, the UAE has worked with its international partners to contribute to global relief efforts in Afghanistan,” the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation said in a statement issued by state news agency WAM.

Sultan Mohammed Al-Shamsi, assistant minister of foreign affairs and international cooperation for international development affairs, said that the UAE’s focus in recent days has been to support the efforts made by a number of countries and NGOs to safely evacuate their officials and employees, including some Afghan citizens.

He said: “The UAE is a committed and steadfast member of the international community and is exerting significant effort to safeguard those in need,” adding that the support provided by the Emirates is evidence of its commitment to strengthening international cooperation during crises.

“Guided by our principled support for peaceful, multilateral solutions, the UAE is also working with its international partners to advance efforts to achieve the aspirations of the Afghan people for peace, development, and stability,” he added.

Al-Shamsi also said that the UAE joins international calls “for a peaceful solution that meets the hopes and aspirations of the Afghan people.”

Former Afghan President Ashraf Ghani fled the country on Sunday as the Taliban closed in on the capital, Kabul, and subsequently took control of the presidential palace, following a lightening offensive that saw the group capture the country’s major cities in 10 days.

Ghani arrived in the UAE on Wednesday where he is being hosted on “humanitarian grounds,” according to UAE officials.

Meanwhile, Abu Dhabi Crown Prince Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed received a phone call from Scott Morrison, Australia’s prime minister, who thanked the UAE for helping to evacuate Australian nationals from Afghanistan, in addition to evacuating members of diplomatic missions from a number of other countries.