Brussels is lobbying its member state governments to offer local employees at the bloc’s representation in Afghanistan visas. It comes after Taliban fighters were ordered into Kabul city centre last night after it was confirmed that President Ashraf Ghani had fled the country following the terrorist group’s sweeping advance across the country. A spokesman for the group said it was in control of all 11 districts of the Afghan capital, prompting chaos at the city’s civilian airport as evacuation attempts were escalated.

       While foreign nationals based in Afghanistan are being air lifted to safety, fears are growing for locals that had previously been employed by Western forces in the region.

       Many had been hired at the EU’s embassy in Kabul.

       An EU Commission spokesman said: “The matter is extremely urgent, we take it very seriously and continue to work hard, together with EU member states, on implementing rapid solutions for them and ensure their safety.”

       Germany, France and the Netherlands were among countries moving diplomatic staff to the airport ahead of evacuation.

       Other Nato countries, including Britain, Italy, Denmark, Sweden and Spain have also announced their embassy personnel will be taken to safety.

       Taliban spokesman Suhail Shaheen said there would be “no revenge” against locals who have worked for foreign forces of the Ghani government.

       However, the Taliban has a brutal reputation for reprisal killings and the enslavement of women.

       The French presidency has said it would “do the utmost to guarantee” the safety of its citizens still in the country as well as their Afghan support staff.

       “The matter is extremely urgent, we take it very seriously and continue to work hard, together with EU Member States, on implementing rapid solutions for them and ensure their safety,” it said.

       Paris vowed an “exceptional effort” to welcome Afghans under threat for their human rights work.

       MUST READ: Afghanistan LIVE: Taliban take control of Kabul as Brits evacuate

       More than 600 Afghans that are employed by French organisations in their home country have already arrived in France.

       But ultimately Brussels is unable to do the same for its local hires in Afghanistan.

       The Commission has conceded that it doesn’t have the powers to grant emergency visas to them.

       DON'T MISS

       ‘Greatest defeat in history!’ Donald Trump calls on Biden to ‘resign’ [INSIGHT]

       Taliban speaks to UK for first time since taking Kabul [REVEALED]

       'Eurofanatics!' Pope Francis grants God-like status to founder of EU [ANALYSIS]

       Its spokesman added: “This is a sensitive matter, and we are engaged in complex and delicate talks.”

       Officials from the EU’s External Action Service, its diplomatic wing, have been ordered to approach member state governments to ask for shelter for Afghan staff.

       Spain’s foreign minister Jose Manuel Albares has announced that Madrid will assist employees at the EU mission “for an orderly departure of European and local personnel”.

       Many embassies in Afghanistan employed locals as interpreters and other similar roles.

       Britain’s ambassador to the country has personally stayed behind at the airport to help process visa requests of his former employees.