KANDAHAR, Jan 11: “He’s of our blood. He’s a Muslim. He’s an Afghan,” says 13-year-old Ahmadalluh.

Sitting in a teahouse on a busy Kandahar street, the schoolboy is discussing the fate of Mullah Mohammad Omar, the elusive leader of the Taliban, now the target of a massive hunt by US and anti-Taliban forces loyal to Afghanistan’s new, interim government.

Ahmadullah seems to speak for the several dozen men drinking green tea in the onetime royal capital and the country’s second city after Kabul.

Certainly no one disagrees.

“I have learned from my elders how the British and the Russians came to Afghanistan. Now it’s the Americans. It’s the third time,” Ahmadullah said.

Hundreds of U.S. Marines at Kandahar airport and, together with special forces, are trying to track down the one-eyed leader, like Ahmadullah a Pakhtoon from Kandahar.

“Even if we disagree with Mullah Omar and what the Taliban did during their rule, we cannot hand him over,” said Mir Hamza, who cares for war disabled.

“We owe him respect for stepping down, for quitting and thereby preventing much greater loss of life in our city.”

Mullah Omar surrendered and pulled his men out of the southern city that was his stronghold on December 7.

And what of the world’s most wanted man with a $25 million reward on his head? Would they hand over Osama bin Laden?

“He was our guest, and whatever he might have done, we cannot hand him over to foreigners,” says Mir Hamza.

What about the reward?

“How would simple people like us ever claim it? And whoever did so, he would disgrace his name and reputation for betraying a fellow-Muslim and a guest in his own house,” Mir Hamza said.

But the Americans hunting Mullah Omar and Osama bin Laden were not unwelcome in Kandahar.

“Anyone who brings peace to Afghanistan and who helps rebuild our country is always welcome,” said Syed Mohammed, an unemployed farmer.—Reuters