Afghan President vows to 'remobilise' forces as Taliban approach Kabul

Afghan President Ashraf Ghani said Saturday the remobilisation of the country's armed forces was a "top priority", as Taliban fighters inched closer to the capital after routing the country's defences over the past week.

The president gave no hint he would resign or take responsibility for the current situation, but said "consultations" were taking place to try to help end the war.

"The remobilisation of our security and defence forces is our top priority, and serious steps are being taken in this regard," he said appearing sombre and sitting before an Afghan flag in a televised speech.

But Ghani offered few specifics on what his administration was planning as the government's control over Afghanistan has all but collapsed in recent days.

The announcement came as US Marines returned to oversee emergency evacuations from Afghanistan and foreign embassies scrambled to pull out their staff as security deteriorated.

With the country's second and third-largest cities having fallen into Taliban hands, Kabul has effectively become the besieged last stand for government forces who have offered little or no resistance elsewhere.