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Taleban to Decide Bin Laden Fate
Monday, 17 September, 2001, 16:28 GMT

The leader of Afghanistan's ruling Taleban has announced that a decision on whether Osama Bin Laden can remain in the country will be taken at a meeting on Tuesday, official Taleban radio reported.

Mullah Mohammed Omar said the decision on Bin Laden, identified by the US as the chief suspect in last Tuesday's suicide attacks, would be made by Islamic leaders from all over the country.

High-ranking officials from Pakistan have been holding talks with Mullah Omar in the southern city of Kandahar in an effort to persuade him to hand over the Saudi-born millionaire.

Pakistan's Foreign Minister Abdul Sattar has warned that time is running out and has called on the Taleban to make a sober and dispassionate decision.

Pakistan has already pledged to provide the US with support and, although the government will not spell out exactly what this means, Mr Sattar said he could not rule out the idea of basing foreign troops in Pakistan if the delegation failed.
(BBC News Source)

Dan