Talks on Afghan govt continue in Germany

The factions attending talks on a new Afghan government in Germany are expected to hold a joint session with UN mediators today to try to speed moves to install an interim administration to run the country.

The full meeting was due to go ahead last night but a spokesman said it was cancelled because the Afghan delegates wanted more time to talk among themselves.

The negotiations began on an optimistic note yesterday, with signs that all four factions would accept former king Zahir Shah as a unifying figure.

The US and other Western nations have threatened to withhold billions of dollars in aid to Afghanistan unless the delegates agree on a pro-Western government.