A statement read to reporters after a council briefing by the UN Secretariat on Thursday also expressed concern at ``reports of massive foreign military assistance in support'' of the offensive.

While Taliban's opponents accuse it of being backed by Pakistan, Taliban accuses Iran, Russia, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan of aiding the opposition alliance.

The Taliban, which controls most of Afghanistan, began a new offensive last week against the forces of opposition leader Ahmad Shah Masood, whose troops were reported on Thursday to have won back some key areas in a surprise counter-attack.

``Members of the council condemned the Taliban for the launching of the large-scale military offensive in recent days,'' council president Martin Andjaba of Namibia said in a statement.

``They demanded that theTaliban stop the offensive immediately and resume political negotiations under the auspices of the United Nations,'' in line with commitments made at inconclusive talks held at Tashkent, the Uzbek capital, last month.

Andjaba said council members intended to ``consider possible additional steps to influence the situation in Afghanistan, including the imposition of measures with the aim of achieving the full implementation'' of relevant council resolutions.

In addition to calling for an immediate end to all external interference, council members called on those states ``whose territories are reportedly being used by Afghan parties to take measures to prevent such acts.''

The council, which has little direct leverage on the situation in Afghanistan whose UN seat is still held by the anti-Taliban alliance, also condemned acts of violence against civilians and demanded that the Taliban respect human rights.

Concern was expressed at the forced displacement of civilians and the separation of women andchildren from their menfolk. ``Members also call for respect for the rights of women and girls,'' the statement added.

The Taliban has been accused of discriminating against women and girls by preventing them from working outside the home, denying them medical treatment if separate female facilities are not available and beating them for violating a strict dress code.

Council members asked neighbouring countries to cooperate with humanitarian agencies in meeting the needs of internally displaced Afghans and called for safe and unhindered access for humanitarian aid.