1stlead: Afghan Taliban Not to Hand Over Osama Without Evidence: ZaeefAfghan Taliban Chief Representative in Islamabad Mulla Abdul Salam Zaeef said at a press conference Friday that Taliban would not hand over Osama bin Laden without evidence."Taliban is not willing to hand over bin Laden to the United States" and "will never surrender to evil and might," he said. He also said Taliban does not expect Pakistan to extend assistance to the United States in its anticipated military attacks on Afghanistan. Zaeef said he was sorry for the people who had died in the suicide attacks on Washington and New York last week, but appealed to the United States not to endanger innocent people in a military retaliation. "Our position on this is that if America has proof, we are ready for the trial of Osama bin Laden in light of the evidence," the Taliban official added. An investigation by the United Nations and the Organization of the Islamic Conference into the attacks is necessary, said Zaeef. Osama bin Laden was named by the United States as "the prime suspect" behind last week's terror attacks. Osama, a Saudi millionaire in exile, is believed to have been hiding in the Taliban-controlled area of Afghanistan. |
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