Image [Stringer/ AFP]

Taliban fighters have entered Kabul, but say they have no plans to take the Afghan capital “by force.”

According to the Associated Press (AP) panicked workers fled government offices and helicopters began landing at the U.S. Embassy, as the Taliban further tightened their grip on the country.

The Taliban have raced closer to a complete military takeover of Afghanistan on Sunday after capturing more major cities.

In a statement, the Taliban say instead of taking Kabul by force,“negotiations are underway to ensure that the transition process is completed safely and securely, without compromising the lives, property and honor of anyone, and without compromising the lives of Kabulis.”

The group took control of the key eastern city of Jalalabad, just hours after the seizing the northern anti-Taliban bastion of Mazar-i-Sharif.

Despite online assurances by the Taliban that  banks, merchants and other entrepreneurs that their property, money and institutions will not be disturbed, people continue to leave the city streets and try to find ways to go home.

President Ashraf Ghani’s government appeared to be left with few options.

Ghani on Saturday sought to project a semblance of authority with a national address in which he spoke of “re-mobilising” the military while seeking a “political solution” to the crisis.

Ghani’s chief of staff has taken to his Twitter account to urge the people of Kabul, ‘Please don’t worry. There is no problem. The situation of Kabul is under control.’  – agencies