Afghan officials in Pakistan have dismissed as untrue reports that alleged terrorist Osama bin Laden has issued a statement vowing to continue his war against the "enemies of Islam."
"The news report is totally untrue, fabricated, politically motivated and is a brainchild of some hidden hands who have been deliberately working to malign the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan," an Afghan embassy statement said.
The report, attributed to the little-known Pakistani ANN news service, quoted bin Laden as saying: "Life and death are in the hands of God."
"I am not a person to be cowed down by threats and as long as I live, I will continue my mission against the enemies of Islam," it quoted him as saying.
It said bin Laden was reacting to unspecified "threats" against him in the wake of the recent bombing of a US warship in Aden, Yemen, which killed 17 sailors.
It did not say when the wealthy Saudi dissident made the remarks, or whether they came in an interview or a statement.
Bin Laden, wanted in the United States for allegedly masterminding the 1998 US embassy bombings in Africa which killed more than 220 people, is living in Afghanistan as a guest of the ruling Taliban militia.
The Taliban says he has agreed not to issue any statements or give interviews as long as he stays in Afghanistan - ISLAMABAD (AFP)
© 2000 Al Bawaba (www.albawaba.com)
