The Taleban has a permanent presence in nearly 75% of Afghanistan, a new report by an international think-tank says.

The International Council on Security and Development says the insurgents can now infiltrate Kabul at will, although the government rejects the findings.

The International Council on Security and Development says the insurgent group has moved well beyond its southern heartland and is at the gates of Kabul.

But the conclusion that the Taleban now has a presence in nearly three-quarters of the country is being challenged by the government and foreign diplomats, who say the analysis is flawed.

The report comes as renewed efforts are being made to try to instigate peace talks with elements of the Taleban, our correspondent says.

A meeting is being planned in Dubai in the coming days involving 40 or so Afghans, representing both the insurgents and the government.

However, many are cautioning that this is just a first tentative step and expectations remain low.

Meanwhile, a US military spokesman has said that Taleban leader Mullah Omar’s first public statement for almost a year suggests he is concerned about rising US troop numbers.