ISLAMABAD. Feb I: Afghanistan's ruling Taliban will resist US pressure to hand over suspected terrorist Osama bin Laden, a top leader of the hardline militia was quoted as saying today, reports AFP.

’ Mullah Mohammad Rabbani, head of the Taliban council of ministers, arrived here Monday on an official visit for talks with Pakistani leaders which he said were aimed at strengthening bilateral relations.

The News daily quoted Rabbani as saying the Taliban government was "ready to endure even more economic sanctions but would not yield to any undue demand by the US and Its Western allies."

"The United Nations becomes active whenever American and European Interests are threatened." he told a religious gathering at Akora Khattak in northwestern Pakistan during a stopover on his way to Islamabad on Monday.

"Afghanistan Is being punished because the Infidels cannot tolerate a true Islamic stale." Rabbani said, according lo the daily.

The Taliban number two arrived In Pakistan by road be-cause of UN aviation and financial sanctions imposed in November after the Islamic militia refused to hand over Bin Laden.

He said the US-sponsored sanctions had neither exposed Ihe Afghans to hunger nor dampened their determination io pursue their Islamic policies.

"We accept only those sanctions imposed by Allah. The UN sanctions are unacceptable as we have done nothing wrong, he said.

Bin Laden, a billionaire Saudi dissident believed to be living in Afghanistan, is wanted by the US to stand trial for allegedly masterminding the August 7. 1998 twin bombings of American embassies in East Africa, in which 224 people were killed.

The Taliban, which controls most of Afghanistan, has rejected allegations against Bln Laden, saying the accusers tailed to provide any evidence he was Involved in terrorism.

They say Bln Laden is living under restrictions with no access to communications and cannot launch any. activities against a foreign country from Afghan soil.