The US is to target Somalia in the second phase of George W Bush's "war on terror" and military officials have held talks with rebel leaders in the east African state, that is thought to shelter al Qaeda terrorists.

In Afghanistan, US forces have stepped up assaults on the suspected hiding places of Osama bin Laden and the Taliban leader Mullah Mohammad Omar and Pentagon sources claim a direct hit with 15,000lb "daisy cutter" bombs on a cave system used by al Qaeda leaders.

"We certainly hope bin Laden was there," said Admiral John Stufflebeem, American spokesman for the joint chiefs of staff.