The Afghan president has blamed the speedy pullout of US troops for the worsening violence in his country and says his administration will now focus on protecting provincial capitals and major urban areas from the Taliban.
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Ashraf Ghani also urged lawmakers to back a national mobilisation drive against the Taliban amid an intensifying war over the past few months as US and NATO troops complete their pullout from the war-torn country.
"An imported, hasty" peace process - a reference to Washington's push for negotiations between Kabul and the Taliban - "not only failed to bring peace but created doubt and ambiguity" among Afghans, Ghani said in his address to parliament on Monday.
The Afghan president arrived by helicopter for the extraordinary session of the house, called because of the dire situation on the ground.
Ghani touched down at the Darul Aman Palace in Kabul and inspected an honour guard before heading inside.
The Taliban are now trying to seize provincial capitals after already taking large swathes of land and scores of districts in more rural areas, as well as several key border crossings with neighbouring countries.
"The Taliban do not believe in lasting or just peace," Ghani said. He predicted a sea change on the battlefield "in the next six months" that would push the Taliban back, without elaborating.
He claimed that Afghan forces are up to the task and have the "capacity" to defeat the insurgents.
But in past weeks, Afghan forces have struggled against the Taliban onslaught, and have often been left without reinforcements and resupplies.
On Sunday the Afghan armed forces spokesman, General Ajmal Omar Shinwari, told reporters that three provinces in southern and western Afghanistan face critical security situations.
Southern Kandahar - the birthplace of the Taliban - as well as Helmand and Herat provinces have witnessed several attacks.
Helmand provincial council chief Attaullah Afghan said the Taliban are also advancing in the provincial capital of Lashar Gah, and now have control of the city's seventh district.
On Monday, elite Afghan commando units were dispatched to Lashar Gah to help defend the city.
"There has been relentless gunfire, air strikes and mortars in densely populated areas. Houses are being bombed, and many people are suffering severe injuries," said Sarah Leahy, Helmand co-ordinator for Doctors Without Borders.
Back in Kabul, Ghani claimed his government has the financial and political support of the United States and the international community to turn the tide even as he urged the insurgents to rejoin peace talks.
"We either sit knee to knee at the real negotiating table or break their (Taliban) knees on the battleground" Ghani said.
Australian Associated Press
