The Taliban Saturday threatened Pakistan with a "massive attack" if it helped the United States launch military strikes on Afghanistan in retaliation for the terrorist attacks in New York and Washington.
The Islamic militia, which has grown used to being able to count on backing from Islamabad, said it would regard such cooperation as an act of war.
"The possibility of a massive attack by our mujahideen (holy warriors) cannot be ruled out if any neighbouring country offers its ground or air bases to US forces," a Taliban foreign ministry statement said.
"It's possible that we will invade any country that provides access to the US. Our mujahideen will force their way into their territory.
"The responsibility for the grave consequences and instability of the region would then rest with them."
It later ordered all foreigners to leave the country, saying in a statement: "In view of the current situation all foreign nationals are therefore asked to leave Afghanistan temporarily."
The Taliban warnings came as the regime appeared to be losing support among its age-old allies.
As Pakistan's government met to consider what support it should provide to any US attack aimed at hitting the bases of Saudi dissident Osama bin Laden, the United Arab Emirates, a traditional ally of the Taliban, said it would review its links to the fundamentalist militia.
The comments came after UAE President Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al-Nahyan told US President George W. Bush the Emirates was ready to join a campaign against terrorism.
In Islamabad, Foreign Minister Abdul Sattar pledged Pakistan's "full support" for global efforts to fight terrorism but stopped short of offering military assistance.
Speaking after high-level talks of Pakistan's cabinet and National Security Council, Sattar said Pakistan needed to balance its support for anti-terrorist efforts with its relations with the Taliban.
"The NSC and the cabinet reached consensus on the policy of full support to the world community in combatting international terrorism," he said.
"Consistent with Pakistan's policy of support for the decisions of the security council, the government will discharge responsibilities under international law."
The minister would not be drawn on whether this would mean granting the United States the use of its airspace or ground facilities for an attack on Afghanistan, saying such questions were premature.
"To the best of my information no final decision has been made in the world community at this stage," he said.
But he stressed: "Pakistan does not expect to participate in any way in any military action outside of its borders.
"That question does not arise. We have not been asked by anyone to take part in an international campaign."
He said Pakistan was engaged in a process of discussions with the United States.
A government source told AFP Musharraf would talk to US President Bush later Saturday. He is also due to meet political leaders and Islamic scholars on Sunday to discuss what measures Pakistan should take.
Bin Laden, who lives in Afghanistan as a guest of the Taliban, was named by Bush Saturday as the prime suspect in Tuesday's attacks on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon.
President Pervez Musharraf has promised Washington "unstinted cooperation" in the fight against terrorism. But he is facing opposition from certain factions of the military establishment as well as Islamist movements within Pakistan -- one of the newest members of the club of nuclear nations.
Pakistan's influential intelligence service enjoys close links to the Taliban, reportedly providing it with technical advice, weapons and supplies.
The government denies such active collusion but close ties to the dominant political force in its unstable neighbour has long been a cornerstone of Pakistani foreign policy.
The scale of the attacks on the United States however has transformed the geo-political landscape and Pakistan knows it could pay dearly -- particularly in economic terms -- if it refuses to go along with Washington's demands -- KABUL (AFP)
© 2001 Al Bawaba (www.albawaba.com)
