Afghanistan's new government failed today to reach a final agreement on the deployment of foreign peacekeepers in the war-ravaged country.
The British defence ministry in London said nothing was signed because a key document had not been translated into the local Dari dialect.
After weeks of haggling, the interim administration earlier announced that an accord on the deployment of the International Security Assistance Force would be signed today.
But a meeting between British Major General John McColl conducting the negotiations on behalf of the international community and Interior Minister Mr Yunus Qanooni ended today without an agreement.
A ministry of defence spokeswoman in London said the document was "in a process of being translated" and the deal was expected to be signed with 48 hours.
Meanwhile, the country's interim cabinet side-stepped a potential hurdle in relations with Washington, saying today the US bombing campaign should continue for as long as it takes to wipe out "terrorists" in Afghanistan.
"It should continue as long as terrorist cells are in Afghanistan or (until) the campaign against terror is concluded fully, with our objectives achieved fully," Foreign Minister Mr Abdullah Abdullah told a press conference.
Afghan suggestions last week the time may be near for a bombing halt went down badly with the Pentagon and US President Mr George W. Bush.
Growing concern has been expressed in Afghanistan at alleged heavy civilian casualties from the US bombing.
The Afghan Islamic Presssaid at least 15 civilians were killed during bombing of Shekhan village in the eastern province of Paktia on Friday night and yesterday morning.
Mr Abdullah also conceded Osama bin Laden was probably still in Afghanistan, despite claims by fellow ministers and officials that he is living in Pakistan.
Mr Qanooni yesterday accused Pakistan's Inter-Services Intelligence of helping bin Laden escape capture. The claim that bin Laden was using the Pakistani border town of Peshawar as a base was reiterated by defence ministry spokesman Mr Mohammad Habeel.
AFP