Afghanistan: Every minute counts, says UK minister

"Every minute counts" when it comes to evacuating people from Afghanistan, the UK's armed forces minister has said.

James Heappey said 6,631 people had been flown out over the past week and the government was working to an evacuation deadline of 31 August, which is when US troops withdraw.

He said the Taliban was co-operating with UK troops running the evacuations.

But asked whether he trusted the militants, Mr Heappey said: "We're taking nothing for granted."

He will make the request at an emergency meeting of world leaders from the G7 countries on Tuesday.

Mr Heappey told BBC Breakfast that there would be nine flights over the next 24 hours.

He said this would not be possible without the US, which "has effectively taken over the full operation" at the airport.

"If there is no opportunity to extend [the deadline] - either because there's not the international appetite to do so, or perhaps more likely the Taliban are unwilling to allow us to - then we need to continue with our plans to be out by 31 August," he said.

"If that is to be the case, every minute counts to get as many people out in the meantime."