The Taleban authorities in Afghanistan have freed about one-hundred fighters of the opposition commander, Ahmad Shah Masood, in the capital, Kabul.

A senior Taleban official, Mullah Amir Khan Muttaqi told the BBC that the men were released on orders of the Taleban leader, Mullah Mohammad Omar.

The exchange of prisoners between the Taleban and their opponents, began in October, after the two sides agreed to release one thousand captives each.

The exchange has been mediated by a wealthy young Afghan intellectual, Syed Jalal, who is based in Saudi Arabia.