The call came during talks between a visiting high-level Taliban delegation led by Mulla Mohammad Rabbani, chairman of the council of ministers, and Pakistani military ruler General Pervez Musharraf.

An official statement quoted by the state television said the two sides declared their resolve to combat the menace of terrorism.

Rabbani told a news conference that Pakistan made a "request" that the Taliban resolve the issue of bin Laden, whom the United States wants expelled from Afghanistan.

He indicated he made no commitment, saying Afghanistan "is a free, independent state and Osama bin Laden is our guest."

Rabbani, the second most senior official in the Taliban government, said the Taliban had restricted bin Laden's activities and denied him any access to communications. "Osama bin Laden cannot perform any activities against any country from Afghan soil," he said.

The Islamic militia was nonetheless ready for further talks with the United States, he added.

"As far as we are concerned his [bin Laden's] activities have been banned. This is what has been done by us. It is for the world to accept it or not," Rabbani said.

The United States wants the Taliban to expel bin Laden so he can be put on trial for allegedly sponsoring the 1998 twin bombings of American embassies in East Africa, which left 224 people dead.

"We condemn all forms of terrorism as it is illegal and against the principles of Islam. We will not allow anyone to engage in terrorism inside Afghanistan or in any other country from our land," Rabbani said.

Musharraf, who plans to visit Afghanistan soon, reaffirmed Pakistan's support for all efforts to establish lasting peace and form a broad-based representative government in Afghanistan, officials said.

Rabbani said Pakistan had proposed talks between the Taliban and the Afghan opposition northern alliance, adding: "We have always supported talks and we are ready for talks with the opposition."

The militia, which rules most of Afghanistan, is fighting against an opposition alliance whose military commander, Ahmad Shah Masood, remains the main obstacle to Taliban control of the entire country.

Rabbani said his visit was aimed at strengthening relations with Pakistan.

Pakistan has agreed to lift restrictions on Afghan transit trade, and goods held up at the country's southern Karachi port will be released without any charge, Rabbani said, without specifying the quantity.

Islamabad has also agreed to release Afghan prisoners held in Pakistan on minor offenses, he added.

He said the Taliban's relations with Iran, which still recognizes former Afghan president Burhanuddin Rabbani, have improved after years of tension.

An Iranian consul has arrived in the Taliban-held Afghan city of Herat, an official delegation from Tehran has visited Kabul and trade across the common border has been reopened, he noted.

Rabbani, who arrived Monday on a two-day official visit, will stay in Pakistan for a few days for a medical checkup, sources in his delegation said.

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