Afghan opposition commander Masood "100 percent alive": spokesman

KABUL, Sept 10 (AFP) - Afghan opposition commander Ahmad Shah Masood is "100 percent alive" and has received a visit from ousted president Burhanuddin Rabbani and Masood aide General Fakhim, his spokesman told AFP late Monday.

Waisuddin Salik "strongly rejected" reports that Masood had been killed in a suicide bomb attack in northern Afghanistan on Sunday.

"I strongly reject all these reports. This afternoon Professor Rabbani and General Fakhim visited Masood in the hospital. Fakhim assured me by telephone that Masood was in good health and his condition was improving," he said at

"He was unconscious only for the first few hours after the incident," he said.

"But later last night he became conscious and now is OK and he can speak. His health situation is improving and very soon he will make an interview with the media," the spokesman said.

"I can assure 100 percent that he is alive and his health condition is not giving cause for concern."

According to the spokesman, the meeting between Masood, Rabbani, the former president who was chased from Kabul by the Taliban militia in September 1996, and Fakhim, former head of information services, was held in a hospital in Afghanistan, but he did not specify the location.

Earlier Monday, sources in Washington and Moscow said Masood had been killed in the suicide bombing carried out by individuals claiming to be members of the media.

Masood's condition and whereabouts were impossible to verify independently.