Diplomats promised visas to Afghanistan

Western diplomats representing the eight foreign aid workers arrested in Afghanistan last Sunday have been told by the ruling Taleban that they will be given visas to go to the Afghan capital, Kabul.

American, German and Australian officials applied for permission to travel to Afghanistan earlier this week.

But the Taleban's representative in neighbouring Pakistan, Abdul Salam Zaeef, said - after meeting the diplomats in Islamabad - it was still not clear when their visas would be issued.

He also said it was their right to meet their nationals.

None of the countries involved has diplomatic representatives in Kabul because they do not recognise the Taleban as Afghanistan's legitimate government.

The eight foreign aid workers, from the aid agency, Shelter Now, were arrested along with 16 Afghan staff, on charges of trying to convert Afghan Muslims to Christianity.

Under Taleban laws, the arrested Afghans could face the death penalty, but a United States official says the eight foreigners could be punished with expulsion instead.

From the newsroom of the BBC World Service