Taliban will not participate in 'broad-based government'

Taliban leader Mullah Mohammed Omar has said his forces will not co-operate in any "broad-based government" in Afghanistan, saying they would rather die than participate in what he said would be an evil regime.

Mullah Omar said the Afghan population has been struggling for a representative government for 20 years and all it has led to is civil war and strife.

Omar also said that he has not lost control of the southern city of Kandahar, the Taliban’s birthplace and spiritual stronghold.

He rejected the importance of the Northern Alliance’s advances throughout the country, saying territory can be lost and regained.