World News 13-11-2001 Taliban Flee Afghan Capital City who: Afghan freedom fighters Northern Alliance what: Mass forces outside Kabul as Taliban flee south where: Afghanistan when: Last night snippet: "Taleban forces have abandoned Kabul," reports the BBC this morning, "fleeing south overnight as contingents of Northern Alliance troops entered the city amid scenes of jubilation." "Dozens of pick-up trucks loaded with Taliban families and their possessions were seen leaving the city," says Alan Philps in The Telegraph. "Lights went out at key ministries and Taliban institutions in Kabul, which has been ruled by the militia since 1996." The Taliban in Kabul approached the Northern Alliance and offered to hand over the city peacefully in exchange for a role in a future government, according to information from senior Iranian officials reports in The Financial Times. "The offer would include surrendering some Arab Taliban fighters but the proposed deal would not involve Mr bin Laden." "The Taliban`s spectacular military collapse in northern Afghanistan followed the seizure of the key western city of Herat," explains The Guardian. Kabul now seems to be in a state of semi-anarchy after the US military urged the alliance to stay out "to allow time for a coalition government including members of the southern-based Pashtun tribe to be formed." "We have made a decision not to advance to Kabul," says Alliance Foreign Minister Abdullah Abdullah, quoted in The Mirror. "We should evaluate the situation, we should try our best not to enter Kabul. That should be the focus." BBC latest: Northern Alliance rebels have entered the city and taken control "amid scenes of chaos and jubilation." [... more]

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