'Taliban won't accept defeat in Afghanistan'

In a message on the eve of Islam's three-day Eid-ul-Azha festival, the rebel commander praised his followers' efforts in the insurgency launched months after the Taliban was toppled from power in 2001.

But Omar urged them to be "mindful of not resorting to actions that may result in casualties of innocent ordinary people."

"We must be more cautious and careful in focusing the target. We should have friendly and sincere relations with our own Muslim people," he said in a statement was circulated in Kandahar city, a Taliban stronghold.

In fresh fighting Nato and Afghan forces killed more than 10 Taliban fighters in southern Afghanistan, police said Friday.

The Taliban attacked a police post late Thursday night with machine guns and rocket-propelled grenades, said Khost provincial police commander Mohammad Ayub. The ensuing battle lasted more than an hour.

Nato spokesman Maj. Dominic Whyte said there were no dead or wounded among Nato troops. Ayub said there were no casualties among Afghan forces.