* Blinken said the US would hold the Taliban to commitments to allow free movement
* 'We believe there are still a small number of Americans, under 200 and likely closer to 100, who remain in Afghanistan and want to leave,' he said
* Gen. Kenneth F. McKenzie said the last flight left Kabul shortly after midnight on Tuesday morning local time
* 'There's a lot of heartbreak associated with this departure,' he said by videolink at a Pentagon briefing
* It brings an end to America's war in Afghanistan after 20 years and the deaths of almost 2500 U.S. troops
* It means President Biden met his August 31 deadline and that U.S. service members are out of harm's way
* He said the world would hold the Taliban to their promise to allow free passage for those wanting to leave * Republicans condemned a hurried departure that left Americans stranded in an enemy land
* A former CIA paramilitary officer said: 'Nothing feels good or right about this ignominious retreat'
* Secretary of State Antony Blinken said work continued to help 100-200 Americans who remain
* Witnesses said Taliban fighters fired celebratory shots into the air as word spread that the last flight had left
* A Taliban spokesman declared victory and said the country 'gained complete independence'
Secretary of State Antony Blinken announced a new era of 'diplomacy' in Afghanistan after the pullout of the last U.S. troops Monday – but said a 'small number' of Americans remain who want to leave the war-torn country.
'We believe there are still a small number of Americans, under 200 and likely closer to 100, who remain in Afghanistan and want to leave,' he said in a speech at the State Department Monday night – with remarks delayed for more than two hours.
The number was somewhat lower than estimates in the final hours as the Biden administration's troop withdrawal deadline approached.
Read more ....
Update #1: Blinken: Taliban must earn 'international legitimacy and support' -- The Hill
Update #2: Blinken pledges support to Americans left in Afghanistan after withdrawal: 'We will help them leave' -- FOX News
WNU Editor: No accountability from the US Secretary of State on the disaster that has just occurred in Afghanistan. None. Zero. Nada.
