Confusion over British troops role

US Secretary of State Colin Powell today sparked confusion over the role British forces might play in a peacekeeping mission in Afghanistan.

Speaking in Paris, Mr Powell suggested the British government had volunteered to take the ‘‘leadership role’’ in a peacekeeping force.

But Downing Street quickly emphasised that British forces would not be used in a ‘‘unilateralist’’ manner, and the British Ministry of Defence said it had yet to be tasked by either the government or the United Nations.

Meanwhile, Afghan warlords gave Osama bin Laden’s fighters until 8am local time tomorrow to surrender their Tora Bora hideout - or face annihilation.

The demand was given by Eastern Alliance commanders at a face-to-face meeting with al-Qaida representatives who indicated they were ready to discuss surrender terms, according to one of the Afghan commanders Mohammed Zaman.

In Paris, Mr Powell - who was due in London for talks with Tony Blair later today - said that the next step in the coalition’s campaign would be ‘‘to get a UN resolution in place’’ to formally set up a peacekeeping force.

Powell, speaking after meeting French President Jacques Chirac, said: ‘‘I’m pleased the United Kingdom is willing to step forward and volunteer for a leadership role.’’

He was addressing a joint news conference with French Foreign Minister Hubert Vedrine. Mr Vedrine said France would play ‘‘an active role’’ in the effort to rebuild Afghanistan and maintain peace there.

But in London, Mr Blair’s official spokesman said: ‘‘We are very pleased that Colin Powell has such a high opinion of our contribution that he wants us to do more. We welcome that.

‘‘But equally it would be totally wrong for us to be unilateralist about this in any way.

‘‘We have to coordinate our efforts with the UN, coordinate our efforts with Afghanistan, and with our other allies, and that we continue to do.’’

On the Afghan frontline, commander Zaman said he had told al-Qaida fighters they must surrender unconditionally and be handed over to the ‘‘international community’’ for trial.

Al-Qaida’s decision to discuss surrender may signify that wanted terrorist mastermind Osama bin Laden has already fled the area.

Earlier it was reported that the Eastern Alliance had declared a ceasefire when some retreating al-Qaida forces said they were willing to discuss surrender terms after losing a key mountain in fierce fighting.

Zaman, defence chief for the tribal Eastern Alliance, agreed to the truce during a two-way radio conversation with Arab al-Qaida forces who came under heavy shelling as they attempted to descend the mountain and flee into neighbouring Pakistan.

However, it was unclear whether all of the al-Qaida forces around Tora Bora would take part in any truce or were willing to commit to a total surrender.

In the past, forces loyal to bin Laden have vowed to fight to the death.

Reports today, however, suggested that many al-Qaida troops were trying to head south to escape into Pakistan.

Other reports said the mainly Arab and foreign Muslim forces might beat a retreat along the Kharoti Pass, a high and often snowbound track that leads south into Pakistan.

Across the border, Pakistani soldiers have been deployed on mountains south of Tora Bora to stop al-Qaida fighters from crossing the frontier along the 15,400-foot-high White Mountains.

Earlier today, fighters loyal to bin Laden made a fierce stand from the wind-swept mountaintop.

Tribal soldiers overran al-Qaida positions in the Milawa and Tora Bora valleys despite barrages of small arms fire. Tribesmen responded with blasts from aging Soviet tanks and heavy machine guns.

Because of heavy fighting, it was not possible to determine whether all al-Qaida troops had abandoned Tora Bora’s vast network of caverns and tunnels or were holding out in shelters deep underground.