Iran shuns meeting of Afghan allies

Paris: Iran failed to send its envoy to a major conference in Paris on Sunday aimed at persuading Afghanistan's neighbours to play a greater role in restoring stability in the war-torn state.

French officials said delegates would urge the states around Afghanistan, in particular Iran and Pakistan, to play a more positive role in supporting Kabul's attempts to regain control over its territory.

Tehran had promised to send its Foreign Minister Manouchehr Mottaki, according to French officials, but in the end he failed to make the trip and the Iranian ambassador also failed to show up, a source said.