Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask Her Majesty's Government what discussions they have had with the government of Afghanistan about the IS attack at Kabul University on 2 November; and what assistance they have offered to help to end IS attacks on education centres in Afghanistan.
I spoke to Afghanistan's Acting Foreign Minister on 3 November. I expressed the UK's profound condolences for the loss of life caused by the attack in Kabul and noted the particular tragedy of targeting young Afghans in a place of education.
Acting Foreign Minister Atmar and I agreed on the need for a reduction in violence levels and for the Afghan National Defence and Security Forces to receive continued international support. The UK has committed up to £70 million to the Afghan National Defence and Security Forces for 2021. This funding will help ensure those forces are better able protect the Afghan people. Tuesday 3 November was a day of National Mourning in Afghanistan and the British Embassy flew the flag at half-mast in solidarity with the people of Afghanistan.