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Diplomats fly out of Afghanistan Diplomats fly out of Afghanistan
(about 2 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 of dealing with the Taleban have flown out of Afghanistan after talks failed to stop them being expelled.
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 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.
The pair left Kabul early on Thursday after two days of diplomacy failed to prevent the expulsion. Their visit to Helmand, and a complaint lodged by the governor, has raised the issue of talking to the Taleban.
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, said BBC correspondent Alistair Leithead.
Return talksReturn talks
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.
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, two of the most respected and knowledgeable international experts on Afghan affairs, will be allowed to return to the country. 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.
Their visit to Helmand and a complaint lodged by the provincial governor has raised the issue of talking to the Taleban. 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.
It was clear meetings regularly do take place with, at the very least, Taleban supporters in an effort to persuade them to switch sides and back the government.
Despite British Prime Minister Gordon Brown's insistence that Britain does not negotiate with the Taleban, the local-level talks are seen as a vital part of the strategy to bring peace and stability to Afghanistan.