'Bin Laden is alive, well'

2005-06-15 19:45

Islamabad - Al-Qaeda chief Osama bin Laden and Taliban leader Mullah Mohammad Omar are both alive and in good health after more than three years on the run, said a senior Taliban commander on Wednesday.

When asked about bin Laden's fate, mullah Akhtar Usmani said: "He is absolutely fine, praise be to Allah.

"There is no problem, but I will not tell where he is."

Usmani said one-eyed Taliban supremo Omar remained in command of the hardline Islamic militia, which formerly ruled Afghanistan.

The militants had launched a fresh onslaught in recent months against the United States-led forces that ousted them in late 2001.

The commander, said to be Omar's former deputy and now the head of Taliban operations, held a Kalashnikov assault rifle and partly covered his face with a black turban during the interview.

Commander gives directions

Usmani said Omar was "alive and healthy and there is no trouble".

"He is still our commander and issuing directions."

He said: "I would not tell whether or not I have met him, but I listen to his voice. He gives us directions."

Abdul Latif Hakimi of the Taliban confirmed that Usmani was close to the militia's leader and that he had given the interview.

He said: "We confirm and support the details of what he said."

Bin Laden and other wanted Taliban and al-Qaeda leaders were thought to be hiding in the rugged tribal areas between Afghanistan and Pakistan.

His health had been the subject of speculation, amid reports that he had a kidney disease.

Washington offers $10m

However, in a video aired late last year before the United States presidential election he appeared to be in good condition.

Bin Laden had a $25m US bounty on his head, while Washington had offered $10m for the capture of Omar for his role in sheltering al-Qaeda before and after the September 11 2001 attacks in America.

Al-Qaeda claimed responsibility for the attacks, which killed about 3 000 people.

Pakistan's President Pervez Musharraf said on Tuesday during a visit to Australia that bin Laden was alive, while Zalmay Khalilzad, the outgoing US ambassador to Kabul, said he was disappointed the Saudi had not been captured.

The Afghan government had accused the Taliban and al-Qaeda of jointly mounting a concerted offensive to disrupt legislative elections due to be held on September 18.

Taliban hold regular meetings

Usmani said he was in constant contact with the military and political leadership of the Taliban, adding that they held regular meetings.

Usmani said: "There are regular meetings, but mullah Omar does not attend. For decisions, contacts are made with him."

Usmani said the toppled regime had lost about 400 to 500 men since late 2001, but it was still active in all parts of Afghanistan, particularly in eastern, southern and southwestern provinces.

He added that "80% of the Afghan people are with us".

"Having seen the atrocities by the US they have come to know that America is our enemy."

- AFP