Afghan President Says He Is ‘Remobilizing’ Forces

In a recorded speech to his fractured nation, President Ashraf Ghani ignored growing pressure to step aside, even as his soldiers surrender to the Taliban and his close political associates flee the country.

Several of his close political associates have surrendered to the Taliban without a fight or fled into exile. His army has all but collapsed and the warlords he was counting on have proved ineffectual or are bargaining for their lives.

Afghanistan’s president, Ashraf Ghani, is more isolated than ever, facing pressure to step aside — and not just from the Taliban. His dominion is shrinking by the day. He rules the capital, Kabul, two other cities in the north and east, and pockets in the interior.

Yet Mr. Ghani is stubbornly clinging to office.

In a brief recorded speech televised early Saturday afternoon, Mr. Ghani promised to “prevent further instability” but did not resign. With Taliban forces having captured Pul-i-Alam, another provincial capital — this one only 40 miles from Kabul — Mr. Ghani said he had begun “extensive consultations at home and abroad” and that the “results” would soon be shared. He said “remobilizing” Afghanistan’s defense forces was a priority.