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Diplomats fly out of Afghanistan Diplomats expelled by Afghanistan
(about 3 hours later)
Two diplomats accused of dealing with the Taleban have flown out of Afghanistan after talks failed to stop them being expelled. Two diplomats accused by Afghan officials of making contacts with the Taleban have left the country after talks to stop their expulsions failed.
One is a high-ranking British UN employee, Mervyn Patterson, the other is acting head of the EU mission in Afghanistan, Irishman Michael Semple. One is a high-ranking British UN employee, Mervyn Patterson. The other is the acting head of the EU mission in Afghanistan, Irishman Michael Semple.
The Kabul-based pair were accused of posing a threat to national security. The Kabul-based pair were accused of posing a threat to national security during a visit to Helmand province.
Their visit to Helmand, and a complaint lodged by the governor, has raised the issue of talking to the Taleban. The Helmand governor says he warned the diplomats not to meet the Taleban.
Return talks No explanation
The BBC's correspondent in Kabul, Alastair Leithead, says it has become clear parts of the Afghan government knew Mr Patterson and Mr Semple were in Helmand and had been meeting tribal elders, so there has been some confusion over the government's decision. The BBC's Alastair Leithead in Kabul says it has become clear that parts of the Afghan government knew Mr Patterson and Mr Semple were in Helmand and had been meeting tribal elders, so there has been some confusion over the government's decision.
As yet, there has been no explanation from the foreign or interior ministries as to exactly why the men were told to leave.As yet, there has been no explanation from the foreign or interior ministries as to exactly why the men were told to leave.
Talks are continuing in the hope the pair, considered two of the most respected and knowledgeable international experts on Afghan affairs, will be allowed to return to the country. However, the governor of Helmand province Asadullah Wafa told journalists he had warned the diplomats not to meet the Taleban who are "fighting us and training suicide bombers".
Mr Wafa also said that an Afghan travelling with them had almost $20,000 (£10,000) on him which he could not explain.
A number of Afghan nationals are still being held by the intelligence service in connection with the incident.
'Misunderstanding'
Meanwhile efforts are continuing in the hope that Mr Patterson and Mr Semple, widely considered as two of the most respected and knowledgeable international experts on Afghan affairs, will be allowed to return to the country.
HAVE YOUR SAY Most conflicts aren't won by force, especially in Afghanistan, some level of agreement needs to be reached John Bennett, Lincoln Send us your comments
The United Nations has argued that the expulsions are a result of a misunderstanding.
"We were in Helmand province to talk to the people on the ground," UN spokesman Aleem Siddique said, the Associated Press news agency reports.
Mr Siddique said the aim of the talks was "to understand from the people on the ground what their needs are, what their concerns are and that includes people who are perhaps less than supportive of the government of Afghanistan".
Despite UK Prime Minister Gordon Brown's insistence that Britain does not negotiate with the Taleban, local-level talks are seen as a vital part of the strategy to bring peace and stability to Afghanistan, our correspondent says.Despite UK Prime Minister Gordon Brown's insistence that Britain does not negotiate with the Taleban, local-level talks are seen as a vital part of the strategy to bring peace and stability to Afghanistan, our correspondent says.