Eye on a crisis: Mustering opposition to Afghanistan's rulers

In our newspaper roundup, the Chicago Tribune looks at the military forces gathered outside - and possibly within - Afghanistan, as a huge convoy of trucks, four-wheel-drive vehicles and donkeys prepares to leave on a humanitarian mission, bringing crucial supplies to the country's refugees.

The New York Times says President George W. Bush has approved a covert effort to strengthen a diverse array of groups opposing the Taleban rulers of Afghanistan.

It also reports on Attorney-General John Ashcroft's plea to lawmakers to approve the Bush Administration's anti-terrorism package by next week.

In Britain, the Times leads on the Government's attempts to destroy terrorism, including its crackdown on asylum abuse, boosting of extradition laws and the seizure of £60m ($207 million) in Taleban assets.

The Guardian front page covers most of the main angles - the Taleban's admission that it has bin Laden, the emerging refugee tragedy and steps being taken in Britain to prevent further terrorist attacks.

The Daily Mail front page is from its reporter in Afghanistan, Ross Benson, who describes fighting between Taleban and Northern Alliance forces.

In Pakistan the Dawn says President Pervez Musharraf has ruled out the use of Pakistani troops in any military operation in Afghanistan. The News quotes the President as saying that hopes that Taleban will hand over bin Laden for trial are dim.

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