Taliban leader calls Muslims to prepare for war

The leader of Afghanistan's Taliban regime has warned Muslims all over the world to be ready for a holy war to defend the Islamic faith.

Mullah Mohammad Omar says all Muslims should defend Afghanistan and should be ready for anything to make a sacrifice for Islam.

Each Muslim should ready for a jihad against this and be ready for his religion if there is a need for him to sacrifice himself for Islam and his belief Mullah Mohammad Omar

Speaking on the Taliban

Voice of Shariat

Radio, Mr Omar has urged Afghans to prepare for a US assault and stand steadfast against the enemy.

The Taliban also vowed to take revenge against any country which attacked it.

"Death comes to everyone. We must stand proud as Afghans in the defence of Islam," Mr Omar said.

"Believe in God, for with the grace of God the American rockets will go astray and we will be saved."

In his radio address, Mr Omar said he would die rather than back down. "I am not afraid of death or of losing power. I am willing to give up power and my seat, but I'm not willing to give up Islam," he said. "We shall be victorious."

He also stated: "Be ready for jihad (holy war). Each Muslim should ready for a jihad against this and be ready for his religion if there is a need for him to sacrifice himself for Islam and his belief, and make a sacrifice for the symbol of belief in Islam."

The Taliban said earlier they would attack any neighbour which gave assistance to US strikes on their country.

"If a neighbouring country allows its soil or its air to be used in an attack against Afghanistan...in that case the possibility cannot be ruled out that we attack that country," the Foreign Ministry said in a statement issued in Kabul.

"We'll be forced to send our mujahideen into their territory...they will be responsible for the consequences."

Mr Colin Powell - ‘encouraged’

The statement is seen as a veiled threat to Pakistan, which has been asked by the US to allow military aircraft to fly through its territory if airstrikes are ordered against Afghanistan.

Pakistan is officially considering its response to the list of US demands for a possible attack, according to official sources.

The list includes a US request to base a multinational force in Pakistan.

However, according to a senior US official and Pakistani sources, Pakistan has agreed to the use of its airspace in a strike on Afghanistan by a multinational force, and to co-operate in intelligence gathering, .

They have also agreed to cut off fuel supplies to Afghanistan.

Pakistan's Cabinet and the National Security Council are due to meet to formulate a formal response to the United States, the sources said.

They say the United States is seeking a "comprehensive strike" to wipe out the Taliban and a network of suspected terrorist bases in Afghanistan.

The US Secretary of State Mr Colin Powell said he is awaiting a response from Pakistan over the request. No deadline has been set for a response.

Mr Powell said he was very encouraged that Pakistan was taking the US requests seriously.