Lisbon: Portugal’s defence minister says his country is prepared to take in 243 Afghans, and their families who worked with Portuguese forces stationed in the country.

Defence Minister Joao Gomes Cravinho said NATO is coordinating the evacuation of the Afghans because Portugal doesn’t have the military capacity to do so.

He told public broadcaster RTP late Sunday he is not aware of any Portuguese citizens living in Afghanistan.

Portugal had a small detachment of fewer than 200 troops stationed at Kabul airport, as part of the NATO mission in the country. The last ones pulled out at the end of May. (AP)

Press Trust of India