The AP Interview: Karzai ‘invited’ Taliban to stop chaos

By KATHY GANNON
Associated Press

KABUL, Afghanistan (AP) — Afghanistan’s former president says the Taliban, who had already reached the gates of Kabul, were invited inside the city to stop chaos caused by the sudden flight of U.S.-backed president Ashraf Ghani. Hamid Karzai says in a wide-ranging interview with The Associated Press that he requested the Taliban enter Kabul to “protect the population.” He says that was needed to prevent the rampaging of marauding criminal gangs that would take advantage of the security vacuum Ghani’s departure had created. Karzai also says that he has as a plan for Afghanistan’s future that includes traditional approaches like the Loya Jirga, a grand council of Afghans.