Give up your guns, Afghan leaders tell pro-Omar fighters
Afghan officials say they are negotiating with tribal leaders to give up their weapons.
The move comes as they continue to scour the mountains for deposed Taliban leader Mullah Mohammed Omar and 1,500 of his fighters.
US officials are adamant that no deal has been offered to the second-most-wanted man after Osama bin Laden.
The governor Kandahar, Gul Agha, says his men are not negotiating with Omar but are continuing to search for him and get tribal leaders to disarm.
Afghan and Pakistani military officials say that if Omar does not agree to be arrested, the Baghran region, where he is believed to be hiding, faces possible bombing by US-led warplanes.
Afghan intelligence official Nusrat Ullah says negotiators are working out the final surrender terms for the fighters.
He commented: "We have received positive response from those tribal chieftains who are sheltering Omar and his associates in Baghran.
"A breakthrough in this regard is expected soon."
Asked about talks over Omar, Defence Secretary Donald Rumsfeld said the US would not approve of any negotiations "which would result in freeing of people who ought not to be freed", including those involved in terrorism or harbouring terrorists.
He added: "I know that the interim government is right on the same sheet of music with us, with respect to this. They want the Taliban caught."
