Shannon - The Taoiseach, Mr Ahern, reaffirmed the Government's support for the US in its campaign against terrorism following President Bush's ultimatum to Afghanistan's Taliban to turn over Osama Bin Laden reports ╔ibhir Mulqueen.

Mr Ahern, who was speaking in Shannon, said nobody believed nine days ago the Americans would not act speedily. "The fact is they have not. I think they have been very careful in assessing and trying to build the international coalition."