UN should take notice of Afghan airspace violations: Taliban
 Islamabad, Sept 24, IRNA - Taliban envoy to Pakistan Mullah Abdul Salam Zaeef has asked the United Nations to take note of violatins of Afghan airspace by the United States.

Addressing a press conference on Monday, Mulla Zaeef said that any aircraft found violating Afghan airspace will be targeted and shot down.

"We have shot down an American spy plane whereas confirmation of the downing of the second one is being made", the envoy said.

He welcomed the statement of the US Secretary of State Colin Powell in which he had stated that soon proofs of Osama bin Laden's involvement in the attacks in Washington and New York on September 11 would be presented.

Deploring the attacks, the Taliban representative asked the American people that Afghans are with American citizens in their hour of tragedy. He asked them to press the American government to refrain from aggression against the innocent people of Afghanistan and search resolution of the crises on the basis of solid proofs.

"Afghanistan would appreciate if America takes the issue prudently and resolve the crises with dialogue rather pursuing war. Otherwise, if it attacks Afghanistan, we will fight tooth and nail".

He said that the Taliban leader Mullah Omar has accepted recommendations of the Ulema Council which are to be conveyed to Osama bin Laden.

Zaeef confirmed reports that Osama has been missing for two days but said he cannot confirm his whereabouts.

"He might be in Afghanistan but I am unable to confirm it," the envoy said.

"Afghanistan calls upon all the Muslim countries besides American citizens to play their role in stopping possible US attack on Afghanistan".

He also appealed to the United Nations to intervene in order to resolve the issue peacefully.

Responding to a question, Zaeef said that Afghans are living a normal life after acclimatizing themselves according to the situation during 20 years of war.

"Though some difficulties are being faced to which Taliban government has been trying to overcome," he said.

The envoy said that the Taliban government is taking all the measures according to its capability to face war if it is thrust on Afghanistan.