Kabul streets calm as Taliban promise peace

A humvee with a Taliban flag was parked near the British embassy.

The Taliban have said they want peace, will not take revenge against old enemies, and would respect the rights of women within the framework of Islamic law.

But thousands of Afghans, many of whom helped U.S.-led foreign forces over two decades, are desperate to leave.

The Taliban, fighting since their 2001 ouster to expel foreign forces, seized Kabul on Sunday (August 15) after a lightning offensive as U.S.-led Western forces withdrew under a deal that included a Taliban promise not to attack them as they leave.