Militants have attacked the Presidential palace and government buildings in the Afghan capital, Kabul. More than half a dozen explosions were heard as they clashed with security personnel at the palace's eastern gate, the defence ministry and a CIA station. The police said all of the attackers have been killed. The Taliban said they carried out the assault. The incident comes days after President Hamid Karzai raised objections about US-backed peace talks with the Taliban.

Reports say, the attack near the Presidential palace, in the central district of Shash Darak, began at about 06:30 local time. The militants initially targeted the palace's eastern gate, a few hundred metres from the actual building, where dozens of journalists had gathered for a news conference with Mr Karzai scheduled for 09:00 hrs. The President was inside the palace when the gate came under attack.