Peace talks in doubt after Taliban attack in Kabul, Afghanistan

Taliban militants attacked key buildings near Afghanistan's presidential palace and the American CIA headquarters in Kabul - a brazen assault that could derail attempts for peace talks to end 12 years of war.

The Taliban, who have said they are willing to take part in talks with the United States and Afghan President Hamid Karzai's administration, said they launched the early morning assault, which triggered a 90-minute firefight.

Three security guards were killed and another injured in an hour-long gun battle between police and the militants, the Afghan Interior Ministry said. All five Taliban guerillas who took part in the strike were shot dead, it said.

The insurgents got past government checkpoints into the centre of Kabul using fake uniforms and ID cards for their vehicles, said city police chief Ayub Salangi. They threw grenades at the presidential palace, the defence ministry and foreign military bases, he said.

The attack began soon after 6.30am when at least one man opened fire with an automatic rifle close to a gate to the palace in central Shash Darak district. Reporters at the palace gates for security checks took cover when the firing started.

The area is home to the presidential palace compound, the Ministry of Defence and an annex of the US embassy at the old Ariana Hotel. The Central Intelligence Agency's Afghanistan station is based there.