Cowbridge MP Alun Cairns has called on Prime Minister Boris Johnson to lead coordination with other countries in the aftermath of the Taliban seizing control of Afghanistan.

After nearly two decades of war, the world was shocked this week by horrifying scenes of Afghans swarming the tarmac of Kabul's airport, as many attempted to escape a country that has now been overrun by the Taliban.

U.S. defence officials expected Kabul to fall in 90 days - it took less than 10.

With the U.S. withdrawing its operation, the Taliban has been gaining more territory on a daily basis. They have now effectively taken over the country and will enforce a version of Islamic Law.

The UK Parliament has been recalled from its summer recess to debate the situation in Afghanistan.

MPs had not been due to return until 6 September, but the decision follows pressure from opposition parties and critics of government policy.

The local MP posted a video to social media, in which he called for the UK Government to "play its full part in supporting people at this most desperate time of need".

"I've just arrived in Westminster ahead of the debate on Afghanistan. I want to ensure that the UK plays its full part in supporting people at this most desperate time of need," said Mr Cairns.

"Women, children, religious minorities, in particular, are very exposed and we have a part to play in supporting those refugees, not only now but over the longer term to ensure that we demonstrate that the UK is one of the most generous, hospitable nations in the world."

The UK government says it will resettle 20,000 Afghan refugees over the coming years, with 5,000 refugees eligible in the first year. Women, girls and others in need will have priority.

But opposition parties say this does not go far enough.

The Cowbridge MP also spoke of Boris Johnson's responsibility as president of the G7 "in bringing world leaders together".

"There have been some failures over recent days and weeks by some world leaders and the Prime Minister needs to bring a coordination between the world's richest nations to ensure that all countries play their full part," he said.

"I had the privilege of seeing the Welsh guards serve in Afghanistan two years ago, the conditions in which they worked in the service that they conducted was nothing short of remarkable in the most precarious of environments.

"I want to ensure that their work has not gone in vain, that there will be a positive legacy behind the bravery that they have demonstrated and supporting people in Afghanistan is where it starts."

During a press conference on Tuesday the Taliban said Afghanistan would not be used as a base for terror and the rights of women in Afghanistan would be respected "within the framework of Islamic law".

There are concerns from rights groups that women's freedoms could be eroded under the Taliban, which introduced or supported punishments in line with their strict interpretation of Islam's legal system, Sharia law, when they controlled Afghanistan between 1996 and 2001.

The parliamentary debate is expected to continue until 5pm today.