The main opposition commander to the Taliban in Afghanistan has died from wounds sustained in a suicide bomb attack last Sunday. Ahmad Shah Masood's death was confirmed by ousted president Burhanuddin Rabbani, who described him as a "national hero."
"Masood was martyred in a conspiracy involving Pakistan, the terrorist group of Osama bin Laden and the Taliban," Mr Rabbani said in a statement.
"He was a national hero of the Afghan jihad (holy war) and resistance. He was a symbol of resistance and jihad for the past 30 years (and a) thorn in the eyes of Afghanistan's enemies."
Reports of 49-year-old Mr Masood's death had previously been vehemently denied by opposition sources. He had been attacked by two Arabs posing as journalists during an "interview" in northern Afghanistan.
Mr Masood was seen as the final obstacle to the Taliban gaining control of the rest of Afghanistan. The remaining 10% was controlled by a northern-based opposition alliance led by Mr Masood. Although his area of control was steadily shrinking, Mr Masood remained the most powerful opposition commander in Afghanistan and the only serious military threat to the Taliban.
Russia sent its condolences and said it would continue to support the alliance. Defence Minister Sergei Ivanov said that Russia's "cooperation in restoring peace and stability in Afghanistan will be continued."
Britain said that his death underlined the case for restoring peace and stable government in Afghanistan. "It was a brutal attack on Masood by terrorists," said a Foreign Office spokesman, accusing Osama Bin Laden, the prime suspect in Tuesday's terror attacks in the US, of orchestrating the assault.
