Islamabad - Peace talks between warring Afghan factions broke down yesterday, raising fears of an escalation in the civil war which has ravaged the country and claimed tens of thousands of lives.
A United Nations spokesman announced an "indefinite" suspension of the talks after five days. Mr James Ngobi, head of the United Nations Special Mission for Afghanistan, said a date for further talks would be fixed after consultations with leaders of the Taliban and the rival northern alliance.
The talks broke down when the hardline Taliban militia's chief negotiator, Mr Wakil Ahmad Mutawakil, failed to return after a two-day break, he said.