Afghanistan: Taliban imam flanked by gunmen in Kabul mosque appeals to Afghans to stay in country

A Taliban imam flanked by gunmen appeals to Afghans to stay in country as many try to flee, ITV News Senior International Correspondent John Irvine reports from Kabul

The first Friday prayers under the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan attracted a large turnout in one of Kabul's largest mosques.

The ceremony was conducted by a Taliban imam, who was flanked by several gunmen, a sight that was intimidating or reassuringly strong depending on your faith and point of view.

In almost all Afghanistan's 160,000 mosques the same sermon was preached - forgiveness and equal rights for all communities.

The sermon also including an appeal to fellow Afghans to work for the development of the country rather than try to leave it.

But many continue to try to leave the country in the wake of the Taliban takeover.

Soldiers fired gunshots in the air and pushed crowds outside Kabul airport.

At the gate of the airport, a girl yelled, 'Help, help! The Taliban are coming for me.'

And the sight of mothers giving up their children to the embrace of American soldiers says it all about the desperation of many trying to leave Afghanistan.