Afghan president addresses nation amid Taliban blitz, says won't let imposed war cause more deaths

Afghan President Ashraf Ghani delivered a televised address, his first public remarks since the Taliban made major gains in recent days. In his address. the Afghan president vowed not to give up 'achievements' of last 20 years and said 'consultations' are underway amid Taliban blitz.

"In the current situation, the remobilisation of our security and defence forces is our top priority, and serious steps are being taken in this regard," he said in the televised speech.

He added that he will not give up the achievements of the last 20 years and that consultations are underway.

"As a historic mission, I will not let the imposed war on people cause more deaths,", President Ghani further said adding that he has "started extensive consultations inside the government with the elders, political leaders, representatives of people, and international partners on achieving a reasonable and certain political solution in which the peace and stability of the people of Afghanistan are envisaged."

Ghani's last public appearance was on Wednesday in the northern city of Mazar-e-Sharif, where the insurgents launched a multi-pronged attack early Saturday.

The Taliban have captured much of northern, western and southern Afghanistan, and are now battling government forces just 11 kilometers (7 miles) south of the capital, Kabul.

The lightning advance comes less than three weeks before the US is set to withdraw its last forces after nearly 20 years of war. The US had invaded Afghanistan after the 9/11 attacks.

Ghani and other top officials in the Western-backed government have been largely silent on the insurgents' recent gains.

With PTI inputs