A letter, confirmed by a spokesperson for the higher education ministry, instructed Afghan public and private universities to suspend access to female students until further notice in accordance with a cabinet decision.

The latest restriction on female education is likely to raise concerns within the international community, which has not officially recognised the de facto administration.

The United States, among other foreign governments, has said that a change in policies on women's education is needed before it can consider formally recognising the Taliban-run administration, which is also subject to heavy sanctions.

The Taliban drew criticism in March after making a U-turn on the opening of all middle and high schools to girls.

Confirmation of the university restrictions came the same evening as the UN secretary-general's special representative for Afghanistan, Roza Otunbayeva, said the closure of schools had "undermined" the Taliban administration's relationship with the international community.

Speaking at a UN Security Council session on Afghanistan, she said: "As long as girls remain excluded from school and the de facto authorities continue to disregard other stated concerns of the international community, we remain at something of an impasse."