Afghanistan's ruling Taliban militia on Tuesday promised to protect international aid workers concerned over possible protests against further UN sanctions or any foreign military strike.
"We are observing the situation. We try to maintain their security as far as we can," Foreign Minister Wakil Ahmad Mutawakel told AFP.
But he said the foreign aid community could be asked to quit Afghanistan if it became necessary for their security.
"If we come to know that it is better they leave Afghanistan, we will tell them there is a problem which the United Nations itself has created," Mutawakel said.
He said there were no security risks for foreigners at the moment, despite mounting tension over the possibility of more UN sanctions and a US military strike against suspected terrorist mastermind Osama bin Laden.
The UN is considering tightening curbs on the Islamic militia for its refusal to hand over Saudi-born billionaire bin Laden, who is wanted in the United States for the bombings of two US embassies in East Africa in 1998.
Aviation and financial sanctions were imposed last year and other proposals include an arms embargo, a ban on overseas travel by Taliban officials and the closure of their foreign offices.
Angry mobs attacked UN offices here last year in response to the first sanctions, while in August 1998 an Italian army colonel was shot dead after the United States launched a missile attack against bin Laden's alleged bases.
Mutawakel voiced his hope that neighboring states would not assist any military attack against Afghanistan.
"Our neighbors will not like to cooperate," he said -- KABUL (AFP)
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