Afghan elders deny Taleban rift

Tribal leaders in the remote southeast of Afghanistan have categorically denied reports that they are threatening an uprising, against the authority of the Taleban administration in Kabul.

A BBC Correspondent who went to the province of Khost on the Taleban's invitation said a gathering of tribal elders publicly pledged allegiance to the Taleban.

Our correspondent says local people said they simply wanted more money spent on local reconstruction, and there had been tensions with a regional governor who has since been replaced.

From the newsroom of the BBC World Service