Former president Donald Trump is being slammed for praising the Taliban when he called the group 'great negotiators':
The 75-year-old was in Cullman, Alabama, on Saturday (21 August) where he was taking the opportunity to criticise his successor's handling of the withdrawal from Afghanistan during a political rally.
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As well as speaking about Joe Biden's decision-making, people took to social media after the former president called the organisation 'great negotiators' and 'tough fighters'.
Speaking of the chaos in Afghanistan, Trump exclaimed: "Taliban, great negotiators. Tough fighters, great negotiators."
Taking to Twitter, one person slammed Trump writing: "WTF, is that praise? Whose side is this guy on?"
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Another added: "He's literally up on stage praising the Taliban. As anti-American as it gets."
A third commented: "Whaaat? How are these people not freaking out and booing him off the stage?!?"
Another said: "I'm sure the Taliban was delighted with his negotiating skills as well. Especially the part about releasing 5,000 of their friends from prison."
The latter comment refers to an agreement that was made last year which laid out a 14-month timetable for the withdrawal of 'all military forces of the United States, its allies and coalition partners.'
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According to CNN, the US agreed to withdraw troops and release some 5,000 Taliban prisoners, while the Taliban agreed to take steps to prevent any group or individual, including al-Qaeda, from using Afghanistan to threaten the security of the US or its allies.
Joe Biden decided to pull the US troops out of Afghanistan with a goal to get all American soldiers out before the 20th anniversary of the September 11 attacks.
They were well on their way to achieving that commitment, however Taliban insurgents managed to take over large swathes of Afghanistan and have now seized control of Kabul's Presidential Palace and are in talks for a 'peaceful' transition of power.
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UK ministers are desperate for US President Joe Biden to keep American forces on the ground beyond his 31 August deadline, with Labour calling for the Prime Minister to phone the UK ally to extend the exit date.
Boris Johnson confirmed on social media that he will convene G7 leaders, which will include Mr Biden, on Tuesday for 'urgent talks' on the situation in Afghanistan.
In a statement, White House press secretary Jen Psaki said the group would discuss 'continuing our close co-ordination on Afghanistan policy' as well as ongoing evacuation efforts.
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