Afghanistan President Hamid Karzai has announced peace talks through the formation of a council involving the Taliban.

A statement from Mr Karzai’s office has said the creation of the High Peace Council will be a significant step toward peace talks.

Karzai said he would name the members of the council at a later date, but would ask Taliban leaders and other influential figures from across the political spectrum, including women, to take part.

The Taliban has so far shown little interest in the talks, which Mr Karzai has billed as the best strategy for reconciliation in a country where many bombs have gone off in the past week.