KABUL, Jan 9: A deputy for fugitive Taliban leader Mullah Mohammad Omar on Monday rejected an offer from Afghanistan’s president, Hamid Karzai, to “get in touch” if he wanted peace.

Mullah Obaidullah Akhund, defence minister in the Taliban government ousted by US-backed forces in 2001, called Karzai an “American puppet” who should be tried in an Islamic court.

“Hamid Karzai, the American agent, has turned Afghanistan into an American base and has killed thousands of Afghans,” Akhund told Reuters by satellite phone from a secret location.

Karzai told the Associated Press news agency on Sunday he was willing to listen to what Omar had to say, but warned the Taliban leader would first have to account for his actions.

An adviser to Karzai said the government’s attitude toward Omar remained uncompromising.

“Our policy regarding talks with Taliban is clear. Omar is a criminal and he should be brought to justice,” he told Reuters.