Karzai says Taliban leader must face trial

Afghanistan's designated new leader, Hamid Karzai, said on Friday that Taliban supreme leader Mullah Mohammad Omar and his aides must face trial. Karzai, who reached a deal with the Taliban on Thursday for the peaceful handover of the militia's last bastion of Kandahar.
''For the higher-ranking Taliban, if there is a case against them they must face trial,'' he told reporters by satellite telephone from Shahwali Kot, north of Kandahar.

''It (trial) is for all those who committed crimes, including him (Mullah Omar). He has not made even a statement regretting what he has done. If he is found, he must face trial.''

Karzai, set to head a new Afghan interim administration from December 22, said he hoped the Taliban were giving up their guns. ''I hope the transfer of power has begun in Kandahar. I hope it will be orderly and peaceful,'' he declared.

Bureau Report