Britain's defense ministry says the final U.K. evacuation flight for Afghan nationals has left Kabul, as the country's ambassador announced that it's ``time to close this phase of the operation.''

The U.K. military says further flights over the weekend will bring home British troops and diplomats, though they may also carry some remaining U.K. or Afghan civilians.

Britain's ambassador to Afghanistan, Laurie Bristow, said from Kabul airport it was ``time to close this phase of the operation now.''

``But we haven't forgotten the people who still need to leave,'' he said in a video posted on Twitter. ``We'll continue to do everything we can to help them. Nor have we forgotten the brave, decent people of Afghanistan. They deserve to live in peace and security.''