The US said it was disappointed at the Taleban's refusal to extradite Osama bin Laden - the Saudi dissident accused of masterminding the east African embassy bombings.

US Assistant Secretary of State, Karl Inderfurth, said the Taleban's position would further aggravate the relationship between the militia and the US.

"We believe that there is abundant information indicating that bin Laden has been involved in terrorist crimes. The Taleban [have] received a copy of a US indictment against him ... so we believe that the Taleban should expel bin Laden to a location where he can be brought to justice," Mr Inderfurth told the BBC.

Osama bin Laden: Alleged mastermind of embassy bombings

"The perception that the Taleban are protecting him, giving him safe haven, will only further increase the Taleban's isolation," he said.

The Taleban - who rule most of Afghanistan - declared Osama bin Laden innocent last week.

The Taleban Information Minister, Amir Khan Muttaqi, said the movement had now fulfilled its obligations concerning Osama bin Laden, and the issue would be viewed as an illogical excuse for attacking Afghanistan.

He said the Taleban had ordered Osama bin Laden not to use Afghan soil for any activities against other countries and that he had accepted this.

Human rights 'essential'

Mr Inderfurth said the formation of a broad-based government and respect for human rights was essential for peace and the reconstruction of Afghanistan.

He said regional players, such as Pakistan, were important in trying to get the Taleban to negotiate.

"We believe Pakistan has - more than any other country - influence with the Taleban to try to persuade [them] to take the steps being called for by the UN, by others around the world.

"We hope that Pakistan will use that influence," he said.

Mr Inderfurth recently met the former Afghan King Zahir Shah.

$5m reward

Washington wants to try Osama bin Laden in the US for his alleged involvement in the killing of more than 250 people in the two blasts in Kenya and Tanzania.

Shortly after the August bombings, the US launched cruise missile attacks against what it said were Osama bin Laden's training camps in south Afghanistan and a factory in Sudan.

Osama bin Laden has been living in Afghanistan for several years. He was involved in the fight against the Soviet occupying forces in the 1980s and was considered a hero for his part in this holy war, or Jihad.

He left Afghanistan after the Soviet army pulled out, ending up in Sudan. But moved on again after US pressure on the Sudanese Government.

He returned to Afghanistan, where is believed to remain as a "guest" of the Islamic militia.