Afghan peace moves as fighting continues

As a delegation representing Afghanistan's anti-Taleban alliance continues its talks in Pakistan, the Taleban has suggested that the country's warring parties seek the help of Muslim scholars in settling their differences.

The Taleban are not taking part in the Pakistan talks but a spokesman in Kandahar ,Wakil Ahmed,said they were ready to negotiate, provided their opponents disarmed and accepted Islamic law.

Meanwhile heavy fighting is reported to continuing north-east of the Afghan capital, Kabul, where forces of one of the anti-Taleban commanders, Ahmad Shah Masood, say they have made important gains.

From the newsroom of the BBC World Service