Taleban prisoners released

Some had been kept in custody for up to five years

The Afghanistan authorities have freed more than 260 Taleban prisoners from Kabul prison.

The freed fighters were each given 500,000 afghanis ($20) each by the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) to get back to their homes.

The Taleban didn't do any good, torturing people, forcing men to have long beards and women to wear burqas

Released prisoner Yar Mohammad

The new Afghan leader, Hamid Karzai, has said he intends to release all prisoners that held no senior position in the ousted administration.

Across the border in Pakistan, the former Afghan ambassador there, Mullah Abdul Salam Zaeef, was reported to have been taken in for questioning.

There has been no comment from the Pakistani authorities.

The former envoy, who became the public face of the Taleban during the US-led strikes in Afghanistan, has asked for political asylum in Pakistan.

Inmates released from Kabul prison ranged in age from their late teens to their 50s. Many carried luggage. Most appeared to be in good health.

The authorities say they will not punish the Taleban rank and file

Many, such as 20-year-old Yar Mohammad, said they now backed the new interim government.

"I believe in God, but not in the ideology of the Taleban any more," he said.

"It didn't do any good, torturing people, forcing men to have long beards and women to wear burqas."

Thousands of Taleban fighters were captured during the latest conflict.

Many are believed to remain at large in isolated pockets throughout the country.

Mr Karzai's government has said it will not punish the Taleban rank and file - but only their leadership, including Mullah Mohammad Omar.

Ambassador questioned

Mullah Abdul Salam Zaeef's home in the Pakistan capital Islamabad was raided on Thursday afternoon, his nephew Hamid Ullah told the Associated Press news agency (AIP).

Mullah Abdul Salam Zaeef: Asylum application

"Since then we have not heard any thing about him," the nephew said.

Earlier on Thursday, the Pakistan-based Afghan Islamic Press (AIP) news agency quoted Mr Zaeef as saying there was no reason why his asylum application should be rejected.

Mr Zaeef said he had only been doing his duty as a diplomat.

"Still, if there is any suspicion, I am ready to face any open court," AIP quoted him as saying.