The leader of Afghanistan's Taleban rulers has warned his fellow countrymen not to seek help from the United States in challenging the hard-line Islamic regime.
Mullah Mohammad Omar issued the warning in a message distributed today (Thursday) by the Pakistan-based Afghan Islamic Press.
The Taleban leader said those Afghans who want to take power with the help of American troops will be treated like those who collaborated with the former Soviet Union.
The warning comes as the Taleban marks the fifth anniversary of its seizure of power in Kabul. Shortly afterward, the Islamic regime hanged the Soviet backed former Afghan President Najibullah.
News reports say the anti-Taleban northern alliance is seeking U-S help in its efforts to overthrow the Taleban regime.
The United States has threatened military action against the Taleban for refusing to hand over Osama bin Laden, who has been named by Washington as the prime suspect in September 11th terrorist attacks in the United States. U-S officials have said any action against Mr. bin Laden or his al-Qaida organization should not be seen as an attack against the people of Afghanistan.
Meanwhile, a group of Pakistani religious leaders, who support Taleban policies, say they will try to travel to Afghanistan in the next few days for talks with Taleban officials.