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Foreign fighters must face justice: Karzai

K J M Varma in Islamabad

The prime minister-designate of Afghanistan's interim government Hamid Karzai on Thursday said foreign fighters who sided with the Taliban would have to face justice, and hinted they would be handed over to either the United States or the United Nations to stand trial for destroying Afghanistan.

In a telephonic interview with Pakistan's state-owned television, Karzai, who is now stationed near the besieged Afghan town of Kandahar, said, "The foreign fighters have brutalised our society and destroyed our country. They must face justice."

Asked whether he would hand them over to UN or US to face trial, Karzai said, "They must face justice. They must face international justice. There is no doubt about it."

The foreign fighters included hundreds of Arabs, Pakistanis and Chechens.

Replying to question whether the foreign fighters would be arrested, Karzai said the decision would be taken by the interim council.

He said he would soon go to Kabul and take over his new post.

Asked about the nature of the relationship he plans to have with Pakistan, Karzai said, "A policy of tremendous friendship and brotherhood."

"A country that has given itself to jihad will be a great brother and great neighbour," he said.

He said he would visit Pakistan if an invitation was extended.

"I will be very glad to visit the brotherly country and meet its leadership," he said.

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