In Facebook post, Afghan Prez Ashraf Ghani says left country to prevent ‘flood of bloodshed’

Afghanistan's president Ashraf Ghani defended his decision to leave the country as the Taliban entered the capital, Kabul, on Sunday.

Ghani's departure comes after the Islamist militants captured most of Afghanistan in a lightning offensive that lasted less than two weeks.

What did Ghani say?

In a statement released on Facebook following his departure, Ghani said he made the decision to leave in order to "prevent a flood of bloodshed."

"The Taliban have won with the judgement of their swords and guns, and are now responsible for the honor, property and self-preservation of their countrymen," he said.

"They are now facing a new historical test.  Either they will preserve the name and honor of Afghanistan or they will give priority to other places and networks," Ghani added.

The Afghan leader did not say where he had fled to. Afghan media group Tolo reported that he'd traveled to Tajikistan.

His departure was sharply criticized by Abdullah Abdullah, the head of the Afghan peace process, who accused Ghani of "leaving the people to this situation."