Former Afghan President Ashraf Ghani has denied that he fled his country to escape the Taliban militants.

 

Ghani left the country as Taliban forces entered Kabul on Sunday, August 15.

 

Speaking for the first time from exile, Ghani confirmed he is in the United Arab Emirates and fled his country to prevent bloodshed after advice from officials.

 

The former president also denied reports making the rounds that he took large sums of money in his helicopter as he departed the presidential palace.

 

There were reports that Ghani fled with $169million in his cash-stuffed helicopter and has been given asylum in Dubai on ‘humanitarian grounds’.

 

In a live Facebook broadcast, he said: “What had happened 25 years ago in Afghanistan was going to take place again. That was why I fled because that needed to be avoided, a shameful development like that.

 

“The dignity of Afghanistan was important for me, and that was to be ensured, so I had to leave Afghanistan to prevent bloodshed, in order to make sure that a huge disaster (was) avoided.

 

“I left on the advice of government officials.

 

“Kabul should not be turned into another Yemen or Syria overpower struggle so I was forced to leave,” Ghani said.

 

Ghani stressed that he left Kabul with just a waistcoat and some clothes, adding that the allegation is a personality assassination against him.

 

“The accusations are baseless lies. You can even ask customs officials – they are baseless,” he added.

 

Ghani also mentioned that he hopes to return home to continue justice for Afghans.

 

“I’m in the UAE so that disasters are avoided. I’m in consultation with others until I (can) return so that I can continue my efforts for justice for the Afghans.

 

“I have no intention to remain in exile,” he said.