Blinken calls on Taliban to allow charter flights to leave Afghanistan

• Blinken previously denied reports that the Taliban was preventing people with valid documents from leaving.

What he's saying: "An immediate way the Taliban can demonstrate its willingness to respect freedom of movement is by allowing the departure of charter flights with properly documented passengers," Blinken said.

• "I think all of you know there are a number of such flights that have been waiting in Mazar-i-Sharif.
• "We’ve heard in some of our engagements with the Taliban their concern about a so-called brain drain and people with knowledge and expertise leaving the country.
• "The best way to get people to stay in Afghanistan is to allow them to leave Afghanistan, as well as to uphold their basic rights."