Afghanistan's ruling Taliban militia Tuesday accused the Arab League of betraying Muslims around the world by failing to give a "tooth-breaking response" to Israeli aggression.
The hardline Islamic regime said Arab leaders who gathered at a summit on the weekend were spineless and cowardly for not standing up to Israel amid growing unrest among Palestinians.
"The valorous Afghan people ... express their deep regret over such fruitless meetings of the Arab League, considering it a betrayal to the Islamic sanctities and the Muslim people of Palestine," the militia's official Shariat Weekly said in an editorial.
"They also firmly urge that Zionism should be given a practical and tooth-breaking response and the Jewish should be compelled by the sword to pull out their forces."
Arab countries Sunday called upon the United Nations to set up a protection force for the Palestinians and an international tribunal for Israeli war criminals.
But they baulked at a proposed boycott of Israel, disappointing some Arab League members as well as the Palestinians.
The Taliban weekly said Arab countries were more concerned about maintaining their trade with the United States than the Palestinian issue.
The Taliban emerged as a movement of militant religious students in 1994 and have imposed a radical brand of ultra-orthodox Islamic law in the 90 percent of Afghanistan now under their control.
Their regime is recognized only by Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates -- KABUL (AFP)
© 2000 Al Bawaba (www.albawaba.com)
