In the week since the hardline Islamist militants took back power in Afghanistan, the Taliban have vowed a softer version of their brutal rule from 1996-2001, and taken steps towards forming a government.

Britain's Sky News on Saturday aired footage of at least three bodies covered in white tarpaulin outside the airport. It was not clear how they had died.

The footage was the latest image of utter despair, after video of a baby being lifted over a wall at the airport and horror scenes of people hanging onto departing planes.

President Joe Biden has described the situation as "one of the largest, most difficult airlifts in history".

No specific reason was given, but a White House official later said Biden had been briefed on "counter terrorism" threats, including the Islamic State group.

The United States, which has thousands of troops trying to secure the airport, has set a deadline to complete the evacuations by August 31.

There are countless others, including journalists, who fear repression under the Taliban and are also trying to flee.

"They want to evacuate 60,000 people between now and the end of this month. It's mathematically impossible," European Union foreign policy chief Josep Borrell told AFP.

Biden has said the deadline could be extended for the airlifts. Borrell said that as far as he knew that decision had not yet been made.

Thousands more have left on other foreign military flights.

The Taliban have been publicly content to allow the US military oversee the airlift, while focusing on how they will run the country once the foreign forces leave.

A senior Taliban official told AFP that Baradar would meet jihadi leaders, elders and politicians in coming days.

- 'Imbecilic' withdrawal -

Former UK prime minister Tony Blair, who in 2001 took Britain into war in Afghanistan alongside the United States, on Saturday criticised the US motives for the withdrawal as "imbecilic".

"We didn't need to do it. We chose to do it.

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