Top US envoy heads for Kabul

War on terrorism: Diplomacy

The United States has dispatched a veteran envoy to Afghanistan in an effort to bring some diplomatic control to events there.

James Dobbins is understood to have arrived in the Pakistani capital, Islamabad, last night. He is expected to meet Pakistani and Afghan officials in the next few days to discuss an administration for the country, then go to Kabul to help fill the diplomatic vacuum in the Afghan capital.

The mission for Mr Dobbins, who was recently appointed to help forge a post-Taliban government in Afghanistan, indicates how the pace of military operations in Afghanistan have overtaken diplomatic talks.

Officials say it is crucial that countries such as the US have a diplomatic presence inside Afghanistan as soon as possible. Britain expects to have diplomatic representation in Kabul by the weekend.

Mr Dobbins visited the country's former king, Mohammed Zahir Shah, in Rome earlier this week to discuss his possible role in the administration.

The international community says that a multi-ethnic and broad-based coalition must take charge of Afghanistan. Many believe the former king, aged 87, could play a vital role by heading a transitional authority while elections are organised.

The former king said he intended to return soon to his nation as a symbol of "national unity" and will appeal to his people to stop bloodshed and set up a democratic government.