UNITED NATIONS - The Afghan government on Monday appealed for international help to boost talks with the Taliban and other armed opposition groups.
At a United Nations Security Council debate on the war-torn country, Afghanistan's deputy foreign minister Jawed Ludin stressed the government's determination to pursue reconciliation efforts despite Taliban attacks and assassinations.

'We believe the process may benefit from the establishment of an office, within or outside Afghanistan, whereby formal talks between relevant Afghan authorities and representatives of arm opposition, including the Taleban, could be facilitated,' Mr Ludin told the council.

The Taleban recently opened an office in Qatar, which western diplomats said could help moves toward reconciliation talks. (AFP)