The indicted terrorist, Mr Osama bin Laden, yesterday implored a massive and at times emotional conference of international Islamists to unite behind the fundamentalist Taliban regime in Afghanistan.
The Saudi millionaire and alleged US embassy bomber praised the Taliban militia chief, Mullah Mohammad Omar, as a "champion leader" who deserved the backing of the Muslim world.
"I call upon Muslims all over the world to support him because he is the only person who has established a truly Islamic state," Mr bin Laden said in a message read out to a crowd of some 200,000 people near the city of Peshawar.
"Muslim states are not coming up with the kind of support the Afghans require," his message added as he appealed for money to reconstruct Afghanistan.
Earlier yesterday Mr bin Laden criticised the UN as a tool of the West.