Blair appoints personal envoy to North Afghanistan

Tony Blair has appointed a personal envoy to northern Afghanistan.

Former UK ambassador to Tashkent, Paul Bergne, has been called on to liaise with the Northern Alliance.

The Alliance is fighting the Taliban regime, and the British Government wants Bergne to forge closer contact.

Mr Blair's official spokesman says Bergne will be going into the region as a diplomat, and has been briefed on his mission this week.

He speaks fluent Tajik and has had personal experience and contacts in the region.

The spokesman said: "We see the Northern Alliance as key players in the current crisis, and we must improve our understanding of them and their leaders."

He also said "discussions" were going on about which British forces would play a role in the next phase of the conflict.

He promised an announcement on the matter within the next few days.

"It's only right and proper that there is detailed and measured discussion of any military option," he said."