``This is nothing but a figment of the imagination of the media,'' Taliban spokesman Wakil Ahmed Mutawakil told the Dubai-based Khaleej Times.

``We do not believe in interfering in the affairs of others,'' the English language newspaper quoted him as saying. Mutawakil was in Abu Dhabi for talks with United Arab Emirates (UAE) leaders on the Afghan situation.

Earlier this week, reports from London had said that Laden, now living in Afghanistan, had asked his fighters to gather in Kashmir for a terrorist offensive.

Mutawakil told reporters in Abu Dhabi yesterday that there was no evidence of the involvement of Laden in international terrorism.

The United States had named the Saudi millionaire as the mastermind behind the recent bomb attacks on its embassies in Kenya and Tanzania. Subsequently, it had carried out missile strikes against what was described asa Laden base in Afghanistan.

``He claims he is innocent of all charges. We also believe so,'' local newspapers quoted Mutawakil as saying.

He said that Laden could be put on trial in Afghanistan if the charges against him were proven. ``If found guilty, all options, including extradition, would be open,'' he said.

He said the Taliban had rejected a request from Saudi Arabia for bin Laden to be handed over.

Since then, Saudi Arabia has recalled its envoy from Kabul and asked the Afghan charge d'affairs in Riyadh to leave the kingdom.

He said the Taliban were prepared for talks with Riyadh on the issue and hoped ties between the two countries would improve.

Mutawakil said bin Laden was under surveillance, but free to travel within Afghanistan. But, he had been forbidden to talk to the international media.

He also denied charges that the Taliban were involved in drug trafficking.