The Taliban will attend a meeting in France to talk about Afghanistan's future but will not discuss peace and reconciliation, the militant group's spokesman has said.

France, Britain and Germany hardened their tone toward Iran, warning that Tehran risked triggering an international crisis and could face UN sanctions if it follows through with a threat to resume its nuclear program.

The French government headed into crisis talks today in a bid to save the lives of two journalists held hostage by Islamic militants in Iraq – but refusing to bow to the kidnappers’ demands to rescind a ban on Muslim head scarves in French schools.

SCENES of anarchy on the streets of Baghdad have sounded alarm bells for the US and British governments and aid agencies, and defence analysts warn US troops could face a dangerous law-and-order vacuum in Iraq.