UK diplomat thanks UAE for support in Afghanistan withdrawal as last plane reaches Dubai

Ambassador Patrick Moody says more than 15,000 people from Kabul landed at Al Maktoum International Airport in the past weeks and have been taken to safety in the UK

Britain's ambassador to the UAE has thanked the Emirates for supporting international withdrawal efforts in Afghanistan.

Ambassador Patrick Moody was at Dubai's Al Maktoum International Airport as the UK's last flight from Kabul touched down on Sunday.

He said more than 15,000 people flown by Britain from Afghanistan had landed at the UAE airport in the past few weeks.

The people have travelled safely to the UK.

"I’m down at the Al Maktoum International Airport and behind me, you can see the processing of the passengers from the last flight that landed from Kabul as part of the humanitarian evacuation mission," Mr Moody said on Twitter.

"The team we have here is a mix of a military team of the UK's 104 Brigade, the regional deployment team from the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, with the help from the mission here in the UAE and a whole variety of government departments."

Everyone had worked to make the operation possible, the ambassador said.

"It wouldn’t have been possible without the help of our host, the Emiratis," Mr Moody said.

"They were truly fantastic. We asked everything of them and they gave us that and more and they gave with their hearts and generosity.

"Just like us, they realise the importance of this humanitarian mission so we give them our huge gratitude."

The UAE has assisted in the relocation of about 39,827 Afghans and foreign citizens from Afghanistan using its national aircraft and airports.

The country is also hosting Afghan families, especially women and children, and is committed to taking all necessary measures to provide them with care and social support while on UAE soil.

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