Afghan president in urgent talks as Taliban push closer to Kabul

Ashraf Ghani says focus is on preventing further instability, violence and displacement'

Afghanistan's president, Ashraf Ghani, said he was in urgent talks with local leaders and international partners as Taliban rebels pushed closer to Kabul, capturing a town south of the capital that is one of the gateways to the city.

As your president, my focus is on preventing further instability, violence and displacement of my people," Ghani said in a brief televised address, as the US and other countries rushed in troops to help evacuate their embassies.