Ex-Afghan president says he fled nation to ‘save Kabul’

 

 (thedurandtimes)

In his first interview since escaping Afghanistan, Ghani says he is willing to take the blame for some things which led to the fall of Kabul - like trusting "in our international partnership"

 

Mr. Ghani, speaking to the BBC in an interview broadcast Thursday, said his sudden departure was a "very difficult" decision he made. He noted that even hours before he boarded a helicopter and was out of the country, he did not know that this would be his last day in his homeland.

 

 

Ashraf Ghani said he did not intend to leave Afghanistan, but reiterated that his sudden departure saved Kabul from death and destruction. “Two different factions of the Taliban were closing in from two different directions,” Ghani said, describing the moment he was informed of the Taliban’s advance on the capital.

“And the possibility of a massive conflict between them that would destroy the city of 5 million and bring havoc to the people was enormous.”

 

Speaking with BBC,  Mr Ghani blamed the collapse of his government on the US, saying they had sidelined him during talks with the Taliban.

"It was the failure of US, not an Afghan Govt failure," he said.

"I was painted in total black... we were never given the opportunity to sit down with them,” he added. “They erased us."

Under the terms of the deal, the US agreed to reduce its forces and those of its allies, as well as provide for a prisoner swap - after which the militant group agreed to talks with the Afghan government.

 

Mr Ghani also denied the accusations that he stole millions of dollars while fleeing the country.