Afghan aid 'in danger'

The United Nations says the warring factions in Afghanistan have been told that any resurgence in the fighting will jeopardise prospects for future humanitarian aid.

The UN coordinator for Afghanistan says donor agencies within the Afghanistan Support Group have written to the Taleban authorities in Kabul and to the opposition Northern Alliance expressing alarm about reported plans for another round of fighting.

They urged both sides to concentrate instead on helping people affected by the severe drought in much of the country.

In another development, the Taleban is reported to have struck a deal with Pakistan on the speedier repatriation of Afghan refugees.

The agreement was reached at talks in Islamabad between interior ministers, and will lead, it's hoped, to a hundred thousand Afghans returning to their homes this year.

From the newsroom of the BBC World Service