The Iranian President, Mohammad Khatami, has said that events in Afghanistan are a cause for concern for the whole region.

He was quoted by the Iranian news agency as having told the visiting Tajik foreign minister, Talbak Nazarov, that what the Taleban are doing in the name of Islam is dangerous for the whole region.

The Iranian president called for the establishment of a broad-based government in Afghanistan.

He added that it was useful for Iran and Tajikistan to co-operate in solving regional problems.

Mr Nazarov expressed satisfaction with the ties between the two countries particularly the opening of air links between the Tajik capital Dushanbe and the northeast Iranian city of Mashhadand called for their further expansion.