Former Afghan president: I had minutes to decide whether to leave Kabul

Ghani’s sudden and secret departure 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

Ashraf Ghani said he had been given minutes to decide whether to leave Kabul as the Taliban advanced (AP Photo/Alex Brandon, File)

Afghanistan’s former president 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, disputing the accounts of former Afghan and US officials.

Former President Ashraf Ghani said in a BBC interview that aired on Thursday that an adviser gave him just minutes to decide to abandon the capital, Kabul.