UN officials are holding talks with the Afghan government after two western diplomats, one said to be an Irish national, were given 48 hours to leave the country.
The Irishman was working for the EU while another man, a British citizen, was employed by the UN.
Iti is understood they may have met senior tribal elders in southern Helmand province who had close links to the Taliban.
The Afghan government has accused both of posing a threat to national security, although Western diplomats in Kabul have insisted the row is merely a misunderstanding.
The government claims the pair of held the Helmand talks without its approval.
50 Afghans have been detained and investigated over their links to the matter.
