Mullah Baradar new Afghan president as Ashraf Ghani resigns

International Desk

Published: August 15, 2021, 07:35 PM

Mullah Baradar new Afghan president as Ashraf Ghani resigns

In a breaking development, Afghanistan President Ashraf Ghani will tender his resignation as the government surrendered to the Taliban forces in Kabul on Sunday, reports Indian media Republic TV.

Citing sources it said, Taliban negotiators have moved to the Afghan presidential palace to prepare for a 'transfer' of power following talks between the Afghan government and Taliban.

The new Afghanistan government will be reportedly led by top Taliban leader Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar who entered the presidential palace with the help of Qatar.

However, Afghan media Khama News reports that there are negotiations going on in the Afghan Presidential Palace ARG to transfer power to the Taliban.

Head of High Council for National Reconciliation Abdullah Abdullah is said to be mediating the process.

Former Afghan home minister Ali Ahamd Jalali is likely to be appointed as head of the new interim government, the report read.

However, the acting ministers of interior and foreign affairs in separate video clips assure Kabul residents to protect the city along with international allies.

The Taliban also assured the city dwellers of peaceful movement towards Kabul.

Earlier on the day, Taliban fighters entered Kabul and sought the unconditional surrender of the central government.

Officials said, Afghans and foreigners alike raced for the exit, signaling the end of a 20-year Western experiment aimed at remaking Afghanistan, news agency AP reports.

Helicopters buzzed overhead to evacuate personnel from the U.S. Embassy, while smoke rose near the compound as staff destroyed important documents.

Several other Western missions also prepared to get staff out.

In a stunning rout, the Taliban seized nearly all of Afghanistan in just over a week, despite the billions of dollars spent by the U.S. and NATO over nearly two decades to build up Afghan security forces.

Link copied!