Afghanistan crisis live updates: Ghani vows to return, ensure 'justice' for Afghans in 1st address since fleeing

Taliban meet with Karzai and Abdullah, Ghani says he backs talks

The Taliban, who have pledged a "positively different" sort of rule in Afghanistan from their brutal regime two decades ago, met with former president Hamid Karzai and senior official Abdullah Abdullah Wednesday as they seek to form a government. The talks came as president Ashraf Ghani -- who fled Afghanistan as the insurgents closed in on Kabul at the weekend, sealing their return to power -- said from the United Arab Emirates that he supported those negotiations and was in talks to return home. The United States however expressed concerns that the militants, who took over the country after a lightning offensive that ended in Kabul, were already reneging on promises of safe passage to the airport for those Afghans wishing to leave.

Biden says he does not believe it would have been possible for US military to leave Afghanistan without chaos: Reuters quoting ABC news interview

US to evacuate as many as possible from Afghanistan: Defense secretary

Former Afghan president Ashraf Ghani says he will 'speak to the nation', reports AFP news agency

Former Afghan president Ashraf Ghani says 'in talks to return' home after fleeing: AFP news agency

Afghan President Ashraf Ghani in Abu Dhabi, says UAE

Afghanistan President Ashraf Ghani, who fled the war-torn country after it was overtaken by the Taliban, is now in the United Arab Emirates, the UAE government confirmed on Wednesday. "The UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation can confirm that the UAE has welcomed President Ashraf Ghand his family into the country on humanitarian grounds," the United Arab Emirates Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation said in a statement. On Sunday, Ghani left Afghanistan after the Taliban entered the presidential palace. Ghani said he fled to prevent "bloodshed."

The President, Vice President, and their team also discussed their focus on monitoring for any potential terrorist threats in Afghanistan, including from ISIS-K, according to White House official, reports ANI

President & Vice Pres were briefed by national security team on evolving situation in Afghanistan. They discussed efforts to accelerate evacuations of US citizens,SIV applicants&other vulnerable Afghans to facilitate safe passage to Hamid Karzai International Airport, says White House, reports ANI

Ghani says that he supports Hamid Karzai-Abdullah Abdullah-led peace process in Afghanistan

Ghani: I am in consultation with others until I will return so that I can continue my efforts for justice for Afghans

Ghani says he had to leave afghanistan in order to prevent bloodshed, in order to make sure a huge disaster is prevented

Ghani says accusations that he took money with him are completely baseless

Former Afghan president Ashraf Ghani says he will 'speak to the nation', reports AFP

US in talks with Taliban to ease Kabul obstacles: Pentagon

Senior U.S. military officers at the Kabul airport are talking to Taliban commanders in the capital about Taliban checkpoints and curfews that have limited the number of Americans and Afghans able to enter the airport, the Pentagon said Wednesday. Read full story

With the Taliban now in control in Kabul, external affairs minister S Jaishankar on Wednesday said New Delhi is “very carefully” following the developments in Afghanistan and India's focus is on ensuring the security and safe return of Indian nationals still in the war-torn country.

As developments in Afghanistan throw up whole new challenges, India and US are doubling down on their partnership. Government sources said on the ground in Kabul, the US prioritised Indian aircraft at the airport which is currently under their control, to enable India to evacuate its embassy staff and officials in an Indian Air Force aircraft. This helped India move swiftly and virtually in the nick of time.

Islamic scholars to decide role of women in Afghanistan, says senior Taliban member, reports Reuters

Freed Afghan Taliban prisoners among thousands entering Pakistan, reports IANS

Taliban council may rule Afghanistan, Akhundzada likely to remain overall leader, senior member says, reports Reuters

Afghanistan will not be a democracy, will be ruled under islamic law, says senior Taliban member, reports Reuters