Leaders gather to decide on interim government as Taliban retreats

UN mediators are holding a conference in Germany to speed up plans for an interim Afghan government.

It comes amid reports of the Taliban's rapid collapse on the ground in Afghanistan.

Negotiators are gathering in Bonn for the talks.

Representatives of the US-backed Northern Alliance and another Afghan group based across the border in Peshawar, Pakistan are attending.

The Alliance and the former King's delegation will each have eight delegates at the table; the other two will have three each.

The United Nations has appealed to all sides to show a spirit of compromise in efforts to set up a post-Taliban order.

"It's a very simple agenda, really," said UN spokesman Ahmad Fawzi. "We are talking about the possibility of forming a transitional administration for Afghanistan as soon as possible, because speed is of the essence in view of the situation on the ground."

The planned talks are the most concerted effort to bring peace and stability to the country after more than two decades of conflict.

Briefing reporters, Mr Fawzi added said the talks will be open-ended: "They could last a week, three days, or 10 days," he said. "We are prepared to stay here as long it takes to reach a consensus."