President George W. Bush addressed America and the world yesterday, vowing: "Whether we bring our enemies to justice or bring justice to our enemies, justice will be done."
He said the United States condemned the Taleban regime which "by aiding and abetting murder ... was committing murder", and alluded to impending military strikes in retaliation for the terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center twin towers and the Pentagon.
"I have called the armed forces to alert, and there is a reason. The hour is coming when America will act, and you will make us proud."
But several hours later at a frenzied press conference in Pakistan, the Taleban ambassador to Islamabad, Abdul Salam Zaeef, called for the US to be patient.
Speaking first in Arabic - clearly to appeal to the wider Muslim world - he said the Taleban wanted the United Nations to investigate Osama bin Laden's role in the terrorist attacks.
They also wanted the UN to look at President Bush's comments, which they felt were "stirring fury" and posing danger.
The Taleban were "sympathetic" to the US but would not force bin Laden to leave Afghanistan, or hand him over without evidence of his role in the terrorist attacks.
In his speech, President Bush said evidence pointed to a group of terrorist organisations known as al Qaeda, led by bin Laden.
"Al Qaeda is to terror what the Mafia is to crime.
"Our war on terror begins with al Qaeda, but it does not end there. It will not end until every terrorist group of global reach has been found, stopped and defeated."
He delivered a firm ultimatum to the Taleban, asking them to hand over all the leaders of al Qaeda hiding in Afghanistan and to "immediately and permanently" close every terrorist training camp.
"These demands are not open to negotiation or discussion. The Taleban must act and act immediately. They will hand over the terrorists or they will share in their fate."
nteThe message to the rest of the world was clear: "Either you are with us or you are with the terrorists."
He stressed: "We will not tire, we will not falter, and we will not fail."
President Bush's speech to the Congress - punctuated by more than a dozen standing ovations - prompted reaffirmation of support from US allies but outrage elsewhere.
In Karachi, religious radicals were on the streets to force shopkeepers to close their businesses as a wave of anti-US protests in support of the Taleban spread across Pakistan.
Shouting "God is Great", setting fire to shops and stoning cars, thousands of protesters across the country raged at their President's decision to stand with the US in the hunt for bin Laden.
"Stop aggression against Afghanistan", "We will fight until the destruction of the USA", shouted a crowd of 5000 in the heart of Peshawar last night.
Broadcast from the Capitol in Washington, President Bush's 36-minute speech was watched by millions across the globe.
He began by praising his fellow Americans and the support from the rest of the world since the September 11 attacks.
Officials yesterday put the latest toll of missing at 6333 and said the chances of finding anyone alive at the trade center site were slim.
President Bush praised visiting British Prime Minister Tony Blair, who sat in on the speech, and said: "America has no truer friend than Great Britain ... Thank you for coming, friend".
Afterwards, Mr Blair said: "This is a struggle that concerns us all, the whole of the democratic and civilised and free world. I give you on behalf of our country our solidarity, our sympathy and support."
Prime Minister Helen Clark last night reiterated that New Zealand was prepared to make a military contribution to an international effort to eradicate terrorism.
However, she emphasised the need for President Bush to co-ordinate closely with other countries.
She has previously indicated that she wants any multinational force to be made up of as many countries as possible rather than the US and just a handful of others.
It is also understood that New Zealand wants any military action legitimised by the United Nations Security Council, as in the 1991 Gulf War.
"President Bush has said that he sees this as an international effort. New Zealand is in it for the long haul too," she said. "Our political, diplomatic and intelligence support is ongoing. We will play our part in international efforts to cut off access to funds by terrorist groups."
President Bush's speech brought a round of renewed vows from US allies to do what they can to help win the war against terrorism, although what exactly that war will entail remains a question.
"Japan's determination to co-operate with Bush's campaign against terrorism will remain unshakeable," said Tsutomu Himeno, a spokesman for Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi. "We determinedly will extend our support for Bush in our maximum capacity."
Thailand's Prime Minister, Thaksin Shinawatra, said his country intended to cooperate with the US. "The fight against terrorism has nothing to do with any nationality or religion in particular."
During the address, President Bush held up what he said he would carry as a memorial - the shield of police officer George Howard, who died at the World Trade Center trying to save others.
"It is my reminder of lives that ended and a task that does not end," the President said.
"I will not forget the wound to our country and those who inflicted it. I will not yield, I will not rest, I will not relent in waging this struggle for freedom and security for the American people."
Map: Opposing forces in the war against terror
For coverage of the attacks on the United States, see:
Pope Leo XIV has focused on unity and tradition after Francis’ reformist tenure.