Opposition in fierce fighting with Taliban for strategic town

A fierce battle around the northern Afghanistan city of Mazar-e-Sharif is under way.

US warplanes have also pounded the front line north of Kabul.

The Taliban regime has brought in an extra 2,000 troops to try to cope with the US onslaught.

The US air campaign has paved the way for the advance of the opposition Northern Alliance towards Mazar-e-Sharif, an important strategic town.

Heavy overnight bombing was reported in the Kishanday district south of the city.

The fighting comes as Britain and the US continue to strengthen the anti-terrorism coalition.

President George Bush issued a rallying cry to Americans, telling the nation had become stronger since the September 11 terror attacks.

Prime Minister Tony Blair ended another week of hectic diplomacy at home and abroad with talks with Spanish premier Jose Maria Aznar at Downing Street.

Meanwhile three Islamic fundamentalists protesting against Pakistan's President Pervez Musharraf's support for the US strikes were killed during demonstrations in the central city of D G Khan.

The deaths came as a nationwide strike by fundamentalists brought many parts of Pakistan to a standstill.