KABUL - Fighting flared north of Kabul yesterday as Taliban leaders defied an ultimatum to quit the Afghan capital. Taliban warplanes bombed the strategic town of Jabal os Siraj, held by the ousted government military chief, Gen Ahmad Shah Masood, for a second successive day.
In Kabul, the Taliban information minister, Mr Amir Khan Mutaqi, responding to a call by Gen Masoed to leave the city or face bloodshed, said the Taliban would defend the capital. Meanwhile, the Iranian Foreign Minister, Mr Mi Ak bar Velayati, called on all factions to negotiate.