President Rahmonov of Tajikistan has held several hours of talks with the National Reconciliation Commission, led by the head of the opposition, Said Abdullo Noori.

The two sides discussed serious differences between them -- principally the law passed by parliament against religious political parties, including Mr Noori's Islamic Revival Party Hezb-e Nahzat-e Islam.

Another contention is Mr Rahmonov's request that the opposition hand over fighters alleged to be from Uzbekistan.

At the same time, there is no news on the whereabouts of the family of a well-known opposition commander, Ali Pir-Muhammed, known as Ali the Boxer.

Officials have confirmed that Mr Pir-Muhammed's wife, mother and child were kidnapped while he was apparently away from home at a registration centre for opposition fighters.