A high-level delegation of Afghanistan's ruling Taleban movement is touring Europe for what it described as talks designed to introduce the Taleban to the rest of the world.

A BBC correspondent says the visit which is lead by the deputy foreign minister Abdol Rahman Zahed is an attempt by the Taleban to improve its image and help pave the way to the diplomatic recognition it desperately wants.

But Afghan delegation's European hosts -- Germany, France and Switzerland -- say they have no plans to recognise the Taleban and the meetings were intended to air concerns about Afghanistan's record on terrorism, drugs production and human rights.

From the newsroom of the BBC World Service