WASHINGTON, Dec 1: The war will continue as long as Mulla Omar retains control of the Taliban, says Defence Secretary Donald Rumsfeld.

In an interview with CNN, to be broadcast on Saturday, Mr Rumsfeld says: “I can assure you the US will vigorously oppose any idea of providing him (Omar) with amnesty or safe passage of any type.”

In excerpts from the interview released by CNN on Saturday morning, the defence secretary is also described as saying that despite speedy and convincing gains made in the war in Afghanistan, a “good deal of turmoil” remains in the country that endangers Americans and other forces.

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