Afghan Pres. Hamid Karzai,(R)talks with U.N. Security Council envoys in Kabul, 25 Nov 2008

Afghan President Hamid Karzai told a United Nations Security Council delegation that the international community must set a timeline to end the war in Afghanistan.

Mr. Karzai's office said he made the demand in a meeting Tuesday with the visiting delegation in Kabul.

The president's aides said he emphasized that Afghanistan needs to know how long it can expect the U.S.-led military campaign against insurgents to last.  Mr. Karzai said the Afghan government retains the right to seek a political resolution to the conflict.

The U.N. delegation arrived in the Afghan capital on Monday for a three-day visit to examine Afghanistan's progress in security and rebuilding efforts following decades of war.

In other news, police on Monday released the Afghan assistant to Canadian journalist -- and former hostage -- Mellissa Fung.  

Police had detained assistant Shokoor Feroz for questioning in connection to Fung's abduction in October near Kabul.  

Fung said she had appealed for Feroz's release from custody because she does not believe he had any connection to her kidnapping.

Fung was held hostage for four weeks before she was freed.  A criminal gang, not militants, is suspected of involvement.

And, Turkey's foreign ministry Tuesday said three Turks who were abducted in Afghanistan last month have been freed and are now at the Turkish embassy in Kabul.  They are expected to return to Turkey on Friday.   

The ministry's statement did not provide details about the circumstances of their release.

Some information for this report was provided by AFP and AP.