Afghanistan's ruling Taliban says it holds to its position of sheltering Saudi-born dissident Osama bin Laden, chief suspect in the terror attacks on the United States, and feels responsible for his security.
"On the issue of Osama bin Laden, there has been no shift in our stand. We maintain our old position," foreign minister Mr Wakil Ahmad Muttawakil told the Afghan Islamic Press in the southern Afghan city of Kandahar.
"We are responsible for the security of all those living in our country," he said, when asked how Afghanistan would respond to retaliatory strikes by the United States against bin Laden.
Yesterday US President George W. Bush declared the United States was at war with global terror and named bin Laden as the prime suspect, further raising the spectre of military strikes on the country.
But the hardline Islamic Taliban has remained unbowed, calling for Muslims to fight to the death against US aggression and threatening to attack neighbouring countries that help Washington, a statement clearly aimed at Pakistan, long the movement's main backer.
"When asked if he expected US strikes, Mr Muttawakil said that was a question the Americans should answer.
He said the ruling Taliban had held no discussions with neighbouring Pakistan or any other country on the threat of a US attack on Afghanistan.
"But if anyone assists America and allows them to use their airspace or land routes against us then we will be forced to retaliate against them," he said.