UPDATE - Taliban surprised by speed of its takeover

ADDS FURTHER COMMENTS FROM HEAD OF TALIBAN’S POLITICAL BUREAU IN QATAR, GROUP’S SPOKESPERSON

By Emel Oz and Merve Berker

ANKARA (AA) -The Taliban did not expect to achieve its goals in Afghanistan so quickly, the head of the group’s political bureau in Qatar said Sunday.

"I must say that I did not expect that we would achieve such a success so quickly and so easily," Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar said of the Taliban's dominance over the whole of Afghanistan, especially the capital Kabul.

“The achievement of the mujahideen has no match in the world,” he underlined.

"We must not be arrogant. We'll have a heavy responsibility that we've never had before.

“The real test begins now to meet the expectations of the people and serve them by resolving problems,” he said, adding “we need to convince the people how to protect their lives and their future.”

Mohammad Naeem, a spokesperson for the Taliban's political office in Qatar, noted that the war is over in Afghanistan.

He said the type of rule and form of regime will be declared soon.

“We guarantee necessary protection for citizens and diplomatic missions,” said Naeem, adding there is no danger to embassies, diplomatic missions and foreign nationals in Kabul.

He said the Taliban will maintain security throughout the country, stressing they will not allow anyone to interfere in their domestic policies and will refrain from doing so to others.

-Lightning advance

The statement comes after the Taliban made rapid military advances, taking control of the country as Afghan government forces fled or surrendered.

The Taliban took over control of the presidential palace in Kabul on Sunday, according to the group’s spokesman, Zabiullah Mujahid.

This came following an eventful day which saw minute-to-minute developments, including the Taliban's entering the besieged capital and the departure of embattled President Ashraf Ghani along with his close aides.

Ghani, who was dubbed “the former president” by the head of Afghanistan's National Reconciliation Council, Abdullah Abdullah, in a video message, left the country.

"He [Ghani] left Afghanistan in a hard time. God holds him accountable,” Abdullah said in the message in the Persian language.

Following the departure of Ghani, former President Hamid Karzai, veteran politician Gulbuddin Hekmatyar and top peace negotiator Abdullah formed a council with the aim of ensuring a smooth transfer of power.

Defending his decision, Ghani said in a message that he had left Kabul in order to avoid bloodshed.

Mujahid said the Taliban will not accept any transitional setup. Instead, he added, the group wants an immediate transition of power.

A delegation of the Taliban's military commission is present at the presidential palace to negotiate the transfer of power, he told ABC News.

The Taliban’s consultative council has already announced a general amnesty for Afghan forces and government officials in the case of an unconditional surrender.

- Ghost town

US forces’ helicopters meanwhile were seen conducting back and forth flights between the American Embassy and Kabul airport to evacuate US diplomats.

"Kabul looks like a ghost city as I speak. All shops, markets and restaurants are closed. Roads and streets wear a deserted look," Anis Khan, a Kabul-based journalist, told local broadcaster Geo News.

"The city is in the grip of fear and confusion," Khan added.

*Writing by Merve Berker