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The Taliban called on the US Congress on Sunday to send a "fact-finding mission" to Afghanistan to investigate what they called the lies and propaganda spread by American military chiefs to prolong the war. The statement, addressed to "Messrs American Congressmen," was signed by Qari Mohammad Yousuf Ahmadi, "spokesman of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan."

The statement suggested the Congressional team travel throughout Afghanistan to uncover "ground realities" it said are being concealed by military leaders eager to give the impression of victory. The resistance to the US-led war against the Taliban was indigenous, the group said, contrary to claims by Washington it was influenced from outside the country.

"Can a few militants stand up to armed forces of 40 countries including the strongest countries of the world," the Taliban statement said, referring to the US-NATO alliance. "In fact, the current armed jihad (holy war) is a country-wide resistance against you. Men and women, old and young from every tribe, ethnicity, caste, and area have arisen to oppose you," the statement read.

The Taliban said that if the US government would not provide proof of its claims, "then how about another experiment? Send a team to Afghanistan on a fact-finding mission. The team should have freedom of movement and should be allowed to remain far from the clutches of your intelligence agencies," it said, adding that the US military was unlikely to allow the team to do so.