**The Taliban has denied reports that some of its representatives met UN special envoy Kai Eide to discuss peace for Afghanistan.**A statement by the Islamist group’s ruling council described the reports as “futile and baseless rumours”.
An unnamed UN official said the meeting took place in Dubai on 8 January, but Mr Eide has denied meeting on that date and refused to comment on other dates.
On Thursday the Afghan president invited the Taliban to a peace council.
At a key Afghanistan summit in London, Hamid Karzai vowed to reach out to “disenchanted brothers”.
The one-day conference in London saw world leaders pledge $140m (£87m) to win over low-level Taliban fighters.
Taliban spokesmen have repeatedly said they have no interest in talking to Mr Karzai’s government.