Prince accuses bin Laden

In a bid to stem the rising popularity of Mr Osama bin Laden in Muslim countries, the former director of Saudi intelligence said on Saturday that there is enough proof to convict him of the September terror strikes on the US. Prince Turki al-Faisal said: "The religious edicts issued by him are the main evidence. They call for attacks on American soldiers and civilians...all American taxpayers."

He observed: "Those who still call for evidence are closing their eyes to the facts and searching for justification for his acts."

Prince Turki revealed that in June 1998 the Taliban leader, Mullah Muhammad Omar, granted a Saudi request to extradite bin Laden but reneged after a Pakistani follower implicated him in the August bombings of the US embassies in East Africa. At that time, the prince discovered that Mullah Omar and bin Laden thought alike.

"I had no choice but to break off negotiations...I told Mullah Omar that one day he would regret his decision and that the unfortunate Afghan people would pay the price." The prince revealed that he had attempted to bring an end to the fighting amongst Afghan groups and to effect reconciliation. "The Taliban were always the first to withdraw from the talks." He drew a distinction between the Soviet occupation and the US military campaign which "is supported by both Saudi Arabia and Pakistan".