The US president said he was committed to getting every remaining American citizen out of Afghanistan – even if that meant extending his 31 August deadline for a total US withdrawal.
“Americans should understand that we’re gonna try to get it done before 31 August,” Biden said, when pressed by interviewer George Stephanopoulos.
“If we don’t…We’ll determine at the time who’s left,” the president said.
“And if you’re American force – if there’s American citizens left, we’re gonna stay to get them all out.”
Between 10,000 and 15,000 American nationals are still believed to be in Afghanistan.
Biden said that 50,000 to 65,000 Afghans – who had worked for the US authorities – also wanted to be evacuated.
Biden also in the interview with ABC News broadcast on Wednesday, said nobody could have anticipated the speed of the Taliban’s takeover.
Mr Biden has been criticised for his handling of the withdrawal. “The idea that somehow, there’s a way to have gotten out without chaos ensuing, I don’t know how that happens,” he said.
