Taliban warns of Islamic backlash if U.S. pressure continues

LONDON -- The ruling Afghan Taliban faction has warned that additional international sanctions would destroy any chances by the United States to prosecute Saudi billionaire fugitive Osama Bin Laden.

Taliban Information Minister Qudratullah Jamal said the U.S. threat of more United Nations sanctions, including an arms embargo, would lead to an Islamic backlash.

"Muslims, as a united body, will come to the conclusion that America, Russia and the UN are confronting Islam," Jamal said. "More pressure on Afghanistan would upset the Muslim world."

Taliban has pledged to protect Bin Laden, whom it describes as a holy warrior. Bin Laden is accused of masterminding the bombings of two U.S. embassies in east Africa in 1998.

Jamal said additional sanctions would end Taliban negotiations with the United States regarding Bin Laden. The minister said Washington has failed to link Bin Laden -- who is said to be under Taliban restrictions -- to the embassy bombings.

Earlier, U.S. officials said they are exploring imposing further sanctions on Taliban, including a travel ban on Taliban members, the closing of Taliban representative offices and an arms embargo. "These kind of measures are under discussion with other members of the Security Council," State Department spokesman Richard Boucher said.