"We are ready to enter into negotiations any time, anywhere," Taliban Information Minister Mullah Amir Khan Muttaqi told a news conference in Islamabad.

Muttaqi said it was "neither in the interest of Afghanistan nor in the interest of the United States to put so much emphasis on Osama."

He said the Taliban had never allowed bin Laden nor anyone else to engage in any terrorist activity from Afghan soil.

Muttaqi reiterated that bin Landen, accused by the US of masterminding last year's twin East Africa embassy bombings that killed more than 200 people, was living in Afghanistan as "a guest" of its people.

"The Afghan people are famous for their respect and hospitality toward their guests," Muttaqi said.

The US wants bin Laden expelled from Afghanistan to stand trial on charges ofterrorism and Washington has posted a five-million dollar reward for his arrest. The US has also imposed economic sanctions against the Taliban.

Muttaqi said neither the US nor anyone else had provided any evidence about bin Laden's alleged involvement in terrorism to the Taliban Supreme Court despite repeated calls by the militia.

He said the accusations of the Saudi dissident's involvement in terrorism from his Afghan sanctuary were "false."