Taleban threatens Iran over Afghan leader or face retaliation

The Taleban authorities in Afghanistan say they will start supporting groups opposed to the Iranian government unless the authorities in Teheran hand over an anti-Taleban Afghan leader, General Abdul Malik.

General Malik -- who's now in exile in Iran -- is accused in Kabul of having ordered the mass execution of Taleban prisoners of war.

He denies any responsibility.

Several mass graves have been uncovered in northern Afghanistan and there are indications that the bodies may be those of hundreds of missing Taleban prisoners of war.

From the newsroom of the BBC World Service