ROUGH CUT - NO REPORTER NARRATION<br/> <br />The Taliban claimed responsibility on Tuesday for an early morning attack on the presidential palace and nearby government and other buildings in Kabul.<br/> <br />The claim came as fighting raged on in the area.<br/> <br />"Today at 6.30 a.m. a number of martyrs attacked the presidential palace, defence ministry and the Ariana Hotel," Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid said in a text message.<br/> <br />A Reuters reporter at the palace said the attack began soon after 0200GMT. Reporters were gathering for a news conference with President Hamid Karzai.<br/> <br />It was not immediately clear if Karzai was inside the building at the time of the assault.
