Iran Press/ Asia: "As your President, my focus is on preventing further instability, violence, and displacement of my people," Ashraf Ghani said in a brief televised address as the United States and other countries rushed in troops to help evacuate their embassies.
According to Reuters, Ghani gave no sign of responding to a Taliban demand that he resign for any talks on a ceasefire and a political settlement, saying: "Re-integration of the security and defense forces is our priority, and serious measures are being taken in this regard."
“Under the current situation, remobilizing of the security and defense forces is our top priority and required measures are underway for this purpose,” Ghani said.
He spoke soon after the insurgents took Pul-e-Alam, the capital of Logar province that is 70 km (40 miles) south of Kabul, according to a local provincial council member.
American troops have begun flying into Kabul to help in the evacuation of embassy personnel and other civilians, a US official said.
An Afghan government official confirmed on Friday that Kandahar, the economic hub of the south, was under Taliban control as US-led international forces complete their withdrawal after 20 years of war.
Herat in the west, near the border with Iran, also fell to the hardline Islamist group.
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