Total air superiority will be America's primary objective

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The United States has begun its military campaign, Operation Enduring Freedom, against al-Qaeda and the Taleban in Afghanistan.

Cruise missiles and bombers have targeted the airports of Kandahar and Kabul and terrorist training camps near Jalalabad.

The attacks which began around 1630 GMT were quickly followed by a public broadcast from President Bush who promised a "sustained and relentless" campaign.

The Taleban has condemned the strikes and says it shot down a plane, a claim denied by the Americans.

Up to 50 cruise missiles are reported to have been launched from submarines in the Arabian Sea.

The US also flew in B52 bombers stationed on the island of Diego Garcia, and B2 Stealth bombers direct from the US itself.

Tony Blair confirmed the initial strikes involved a British contribution by HMS Illustrious and a small number of submarines.

They form part of a US-British naval coalition gathered in the region within striking distance of Afghanistan, including two US aircraft carriers.

Speaking at a news conference, US Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld, said key targets would be terrorist training camps and Taleban communications, fighter planes and air defence installations.

But the Pentagon says it will be mounting operations from the air and the ground, and defence experts say special forces are likely to be used soon into the campaign.

In his broadcast, George Bush underlined America's commitment to pursue terrorism in light of the events of 11 September.

He warned there was "no neutral ground" and that any government sponsoring terrorism would be taking a "lonely path at their own peril."

The US administration has repeatedly rejected Taleban offers to bargain over the fate of its guest, Saudi-born militant Osama Bin Laden.

The al-Qaeda leader, who is accused of plotting the 11 September attacks, also released a speech to time with the strikes.

In a message delivered to Al-Jazeera television, an Arabic news channel, he sought to portray the bombing as part of a wider war of two sides, the "side of faith, and the side of infidelity".

Tony Blair pledged Britain's commitment to the campaign and stressed it would be fought on three fronts - military, diplomatic and humanitarian.

Over 400 hostages are believed to be aboard

The gunmen are demanding the release of 50 Palestinian prisoners held in Israel.

There are said to be 420 passengers and crew on board the ship the Achille Lauro, including six Britons.

Little is yet known about the hijackers but Egyptian and Italian authorities are said to be in communication with the Palestinian Liberation Organisation.

The Naples-based ship was commandeered this afternoon shortly after leaving the port of Alexandria in Egypt on its way to Port Said.

Most of the passengers disembarked in Alexandria to go on a sight-seeing tour and were planning to rejoin the cruise further up the Egyptian coast.

The Achille Lauro's present position and intended destination is unknown, but the Italian Navy is sending ships and reconnaissance aircraft in an attempt to establish its location.

Italian Prime Minister Bettino Craxi is understood to be holding an emergency meeting to discuss options with his foreign and defence ministers.

Marine hijackings are uncommon. In 1961 the passenger liner Santa Maria was taken over by opponents of the Portuguese dictator Antonio Salazar, but it ended peacefully.

Notable sea hijacks have also occurred off Singapore, Greece and Cambodia in the 1970s.

Experts say a forced boarding of the Achille Lauro could result in heavy hostage casualties.

disembark: to go ashore out of a ship or boat（登陸）