KABUL, Afghanistan – The Afghan Taliban say the death of al-Qaida
leader Osama bin Laden will only serve to boost morale in insurgent
ranks and encourage them in the war against the U.S. and its NATO
allies.
In statement sent Friday by email to
news organizations, the Taliban said the death of the terror leader
"will give a new impetus to the current jihad against the invaders,"
meaning the U.S. and its international partners.
The
Taliban praised bin Laden for his sacrifice in the war against the
Soviets in the 1980s and said anyone who believes his death will
undermine the current conflict is displaying a "lack of insight."
Bin Laden was killed early Monday in a U.S. raid against his hiding place in the Pakistani town of Abbotabad. AP
