Afghan President Hamid Karzai has announced that he has set up a council to pursue peace talks with the Taliban.
The Taliban has been waging an insurgency in Afghanistan for almost nine years since the US-led invasion in late 2001.
The formation of the High Peace Council is 'a significant step towards peace talks', Mr Karzai said.
The move is one of the most significant steps Mr Karzai has taken in his efforts to open a dialogue with the Taliban leadership aimed at speeding an end to the long war.
Mr Karzai's plan to create the High Peace Council was approved in June at a 'peace jirga' in Kabul attended by community, tribal, religious and political leaders from across the country.
The council is believed to be a negotiating body made up of representatives of a broad section of Afghan society.
Officials met Mr Karzai at his palace today to finalise the list of members, who would include 'jihadi leaders, influential figures and women'.
The complete list of members will be announced after the Eid holiday in mid-September.
Meanwhile, four policemen and three civilians were killed when a bomb mounted on a motorcycle was detonated in the northern city of Kunduz.
The bombing took place at about 12.15pm (8.45am Irish time) in the Bander Imam area of Kunduz.
'The bomb rigged to a motorcycle detonated as the police vehicle was passing from the main market of the city,' Governor Muhammad Omar said.
'Four policemen and three civilians were killed and three civilians were wounded in the explosion,' he said.
