Troops on standby as Taliban crumbles
Troops were on standby today as Taliban fighters appeared ready to give up Kunduz - their final northern stronghold - following fierce bombardment by US warplanes.
Amid the heaviest raid yet by American B52s last night, opposition commander Mahidullah said the Islamic militia had offered to surrender the city - which would be another significant blow against Osama bin Laden.
It was not clear whether the opposition had accepted the offer.
Troops will embark on a stabilisation mission to help rebuild the war-torn country following several weeks of air strikes and fighting between Taliban and opposition forces on the ground.
‘‘I think if bin Laden is sitting in his cave at the moment he will know that his right hand man has been killed, the Taliban are collapsing like a pack of cards,’’ British Prime Minister Tony Blair's official spokesman said.
‘‘We have to recognise that he is an elusive character, it may take some time, but he is on the run and he cannot hide from justice forever. He will face up to what he has done.
‘‘We have very specific objectives and we will keep on keeping on until they are all met.’’
His comments were echoed by US Secretary of State Colin Powell and national security adviser Condoleezza Rice.
Powell said: ‘‘It’s getting harder for him (bin Laden) to hide as more and more territory is removed from Taliban control.’’
‘‘I don’t think there’s any country in the region that would be anxious to give him guest privileges if he showed up.
‘‘I don’t think this fellow is going to be welcome anywhere. He is an outcast. He is a murderer, he’s a terrorist. ... He is on the run, just as the President said he would be. And we will get him.’’
Rice added: ‘‘We think that the more that we are stripping away his protection ... that we’re beginning to narrow his possibilities for hiding.’’
