President Obama 'expected friction' over Taliban talks

US President Barack Obama has said he expected "friction" ahead of peace talks with the Taliban and said there was still "enormous mistrust" across the region.

Mr Karzai suspended scheduled negotiations with the Obama administration on the nature of the US military presence in the country after foreign troops withdraw in 2014.

A spokesman for the Afghan leader said the decision was taken over "contradictions" in the US proposal of direct peace talks with the Taliban.

Mr Karzai also ruled out talking to the Taliban until the peace process was "Afghan-led".

Speaking at a news conference in Berlin Mr Obama said Afghans had to talk to Afghans, adding, "you've got to have a parallel track to at least look at the prospect of political reconciliation".