The Taliban yesterday dismissed reports that the regime's Foreign Minister, who has not been seen in public for several days, has been holding secret talks with Pakistan.
The denial came as speculation increased that the US is in indirect contact with moderate elements of Afghanistan's Taliban militia in efforts to secure the extradition of Osama bin Laden.
The Taliban Minister of Education, Mr Mullah Amir Khan Mutaqi, said the Foreign Minister, Mr Wakil Ahmed Mutawakel, was in Kandahar, and not in Pakistan.
"He is in contact with us. There is no split in the Taliban and we are united." he insisted.
The Taliban is seen as being roughly divided into two camps, those who are close to Osama bin Laden, and a more moderate faction who do not share the Saudi-born militant's hatred for the West.
Mr Mutawakel is reportedly leading efforts by the so-called moderates to open contacts with the United States with a view to participating in a post-crisis government.
The Foreign Minister has not been seen or heard of for days and there have been persistent rumours that he has visited Pakistan, either on an official trip, a private mission or to defect.
Claimed sightings of Mr Mutawakel have been pouring in from all over Pakistan.
On Tuesday he was allegedly spotted at a hotel in Rawalpindi, while there were reported sightings of him on Wednesday in Quetta and Peshawar, cities 600 km apart.
A Foreign Ministry spokesman in Islamabad said yesterday that Mr Mutawakel was not in Pakistan. "As far as my information is concerned I was informed that this is mere speculation."