Washington: The US State Department, in a joint statement issued following the Taliban's capture of Kabul, urged the Taliban authorities to facilitate the safe and orderly departure of foreign and Afghan nationals who wish to leave the country.

"Given the deteriorating security situation, we support, are working to secure, and call on all parties to respect and facilitate the safe and orderly departure of foreign nationals and Afghans who wish to leave the country.

Those in positions of power and authority across Afghanistan bear responsibility—and accountability—for protecting human life and property and for the immediate restoration of security and civil order.

Afghans and international citizens who wish to depart must be allowed to do so; roads, airports and border crossing must remain open, and calm must be maintained".

The statement ended on a note that the Afghan people deserve to live in safety, security and dignity. We in the international community stand ready to assist them.

Acting Interior Minister Abdul Sattar Mirzakwal said Kabul would not be attacked and that the ‘transition of power will happen peacefully’.  Also, Taliban, in a statement, said, “They [Taliban] will not enter Kabul by force. The group says that talks are underway with the other side to negotiate entering Kabul in a secure environment to prevent harm to the people”.