Anti-Taliban leaders boycott peace deal

Two powerful anti-Taliban leaders spoke out against the landmark power-sharing agreement reached in Germany.

Ethnic Uzbek warlord General Abdul Rashid Dostum, whose forces dominate a swathe of northern territory, protested that his faction was not fairly represented under the Bonn accord.

"We announce our boycott of this government," he said.

Ethnic Pashtun spiritual leader Sayed Ahmad Gailani said the Bonn accord was unjust but he hoped this would be put right.

However, a spokesman for Afgahnistan's ex-king pleaded with rival factions to be patient and patriotic, and not throw away an opportunity to restore peace to the country.