ISLAMABAD, Dec 31: Afghanistan’s former President Ashraf Ghani has said he had no choice but to abruptly leave Kabul as the Taliban closed in and denied an agreement was in the works for a peaceful takeover.
Ghani told BBC on Thursday that an adviser gave him just minutes to decide to abandon Kabul. He also denied accusations that he left Afghanistan with millions in stolen money.
Ghani’s sudden and secret departure on August 15 left the city rudderless as US and NATO forces were in the final stages of their chaotic withdrawal from the country after 20 years.
“On the morning of that day, I had no inkling that by late afternoon I would be leaving,” Ghani told BBC radio.
Former President Hamid Karzai said in an interview this month that Ghani’s departure scuttled the opportunity for government negotiators, including himself and peace council chairman Abdullah Abdullah, to reach an 11th-hour agreement with the Taliban, who had committed to staying outside the capital.
Ghani said he fled to prevent the destruction of Kabul. The erstwhile insurgents quickly took control of the palace.
(UNI)
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