Shameless Taliban says there's 'no proof' Osama bin Laden was behind 9/11 attack despite leader admitting responsibility
A TALIBAN leader has said there’s “no proof” Osama bin Laden was behind 9/11 – despite the al-Qaeda leader admitting responsibility.
Zabihullah Mujahid claimed the US blamed bin Laden as an “excuse” to invade Afghanistan in order to hunt the terror mastermind in the wake of the attacks.
Al-Qaeda forged close alliance with the Taliban when the fanatics last ruledAfghanistan, which they used as base for launching a series of terror attacks on US targets, culminating in the September 11 onslaught.
The Taliban refused an American demand to handover bin Laden, prompting US forces to enter Afghanistan and drive them from power with the help of the Northern Alliance of local warlords.
Mujahid has promised that Afghanistan will no longer be a safe haven for terrorists but has also insisted bin Laden had no involvement with 9/11.
“When Osama Bin Laden became an issue for the Americans, he was in Afghanistan,” he told NBC News
“Although there was no proof he was involved, now we have given promises that Afghan soil won't be used against anyone.”
Mujahid was then pressed by NBC journalist Richard Engel, who said: “So it sounds like, even now, after all this, you're accepting no responsibility?”
Even after 20 years of war we have no proof he was involved
Appearing annoyed at the questioning, Taliban spokesman insisted: “There is no evidence.
“Even after 20 years of war we have no proof he was involved. There was no justification for this war, it was excuse for war.”
On September 11, 2001, 19 al-Qaeda terrorists hijacked four airplanes in suicide attacks against three targets around the US, claiming nearly 3000 victims.
Despite being cornered the Tora Bora caves and pounded by US bombers, bin Laden was able to give his pursuers the slip.
In 2004 he issued a clandestine video message which was his clearest claim of responsibility for 9/11.
"Oh American people my talk to you is about the best way to avoid another Manhattan; about the war, its causes and results," he said.
'EXCUSE FOR WAR'
Bin Laden went on to say that then US president George W. Bush “is still deceiving you and hiding the truth from you, and therefore the reasons are still there to repeat what happened".
The al-Qaeda leader was eventually hunted down and killed by US Navy SEALS in Pakistan in 2011.
The 9/11 Commission report said the attacks were "driven by Osama bin Laden" but noted that then Taliban leader Mullah Omar opposed directly striking the US.
The terror group remains in place though it has been eclipsed by the Islamic State, whose caliphate and even more extreme brutality has seen them take over as world’s foremost jihadis.
But fears have been raised they could stage a revival under after the Taliban swept back into power.
Mujahid gave the first Taliban press conference after their victory during which he promised Afghanistan will not become a safe haven for terrorists.
He said: “Afghanistan's soil is not going to be used against anybody. We can assure the international community of that.”
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