Osama Bin Laden
Focus on Afghanistan
Afghanistan faces a US ultimatum to hand over Osama Bin Laden, prime suspect for the attacks in New York and Washington, or face military action. Instead the country's clerics say Bin Laden should leave the country voluntarily.
BBC News Online looks at events in Afghanistan since the crisis began as well as giving key background information.
Afghans torch US embassy
26 September
Pro-Taleban demonstrators have set fire to cars and buildings in the vacant US embassy compound in the Afghan capital, Kabul. The blaze was started during protests over possible American military action against Afghanistan, which is sheltering Saudi-born militant Osama Bin Laden.
Taleban face total isolation
25 September
The Taleban are left virtually isolated after Saudi Arabia cuts off ties with the Afghan regime, which faces US-led action over Osama Bin Laden. The only country left with diplomatic ties with the Taleban is Pakistan.
Pakistan gripped by pro-Taleban strike
21 September
Police are out in force on the streets of Pakistan following a call for a strike against the government's support of US moves against Osama Bin Laden. The Taleban meanwhile refuse to hand bin Laden over to the US without evidence
Taleban asks Bin Laden to leave
20 September
A grand council of Moslem clerics says the Taleban government should ask Osama Bin Laden to leave the country. The Saudi-born militant who helped bring the Taleban to power is thought to be in hiding within the country probably in the mountains. The clerics also rule that if the US attacks Afghanistan they will declare a jihad or holy war.
Pakistan delivers US ultimatum
19 September
A senior Pakistani delegation visited Afghanistan to deliver the US ultimatum to surrender Osama Bin Laden or face military action. The Pakistani government is supporting the US line against terrorism, but many individual Pakistanis sympathise with Bin Laden and his radical brand of Islamic fundamentalism.
The Taleban regime
Since the Taleban took control of Afghanistan following the defeat of the Soviet invaders it has become a notorious hate regime in the West, feared and misunderstood in equal measure. Its aim is to create a pure Islamic state under a strict religious code.
Osama Bin Laden
BBC's Panorama programme profiles Osama Bin Laden, the world's most wanted man. It explores his military career, his hatred of the United States and the evidence that he heads an international terrorist group with cells in dozens of countries around the world.
Click below for video reports on the day of the attacks and on the aftermath
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Copyright © 2001 By Qandala.