Paris: France has invited Pakistan and Iran to take part in a meeting of Afghanistan s neighbours to help advance peace in the insurgency-hit country, Foreign Minister Bernard Kouchner said today.

"There will be a meeting, I hope in Paris, of neighbouring countries," Kouchner told members of the parliamentary foreign affairs committee.

Paris has asked Pakistan, Iran and other neighbouring countries to attend because they could play a role in helping Afghanistan reach peace with the Taliban militia, he said.

Kouchner did not give a date for the meeting.

The foreign minister reiterated that France supports Afghan President Hamid Karzai's bid to hold talks with moderates within the Taliban movement, which was ousted from Kabul in 2001 during a US-led invasion.

The Afghan government said yesterday it was hoping for peace talks with the Taliban but denied a media report that a first round of negotiations took place in Saudi Arabia last month.
Source : PTI