KABUL, Afghanistan (CNN) -- A spokesman for Afghanistan's ruling Taliban on Saturday threatened Islamic nations -- implying neighboring Pakistan -- that agree to help the United States if Washington decides to attack Afghanistan. CNN International spoke by videophone to reporter Nic Robertson in the capital of Kabul.

Q: What is behind this latest Taliban statement that preceded a meeting of Pakistani leaders?

ROBERTSON: Certainly the Taliban is trying to influence the debate that's currently going on in Pakistan. Their statement came out early this morning just before those key ministers were about to meet. And what they've said is that any neighboring country -- particularly Islamic country -- around Afghanistan, should they give their soil or their airspace in support of the United States attacking Afghanistan, the Taliban said that they could mobilize a large fighting force to invade that country. So certainly -- the Taliban influencing that debate.

Q: What is the current mood in Afghanistan?

ROBERTSON: The country here really is being prepared for the possibility of war. On the radio last night in a rare 15-minute address, the supreme leader of the Taliban said people should put their faith in Allah, that they shouldn't be afraid of an attack from the United States. If they put their faith in Allah they would be OK.

He went on to say that Afghanistan in the past had been invaded by several superpowers. He mentioned that in the 19th century, the British empire had invaded twice. He pointed out that at that time there was no Taliban, and no Osama bin Laden. And he questioned why were they invaded then.

He pointed out the had been invaded by Russia in the 1980s. And he pointed out that people should not be afraid of what might happen next. He said they should be strong, that they should believe in Allah and be strong, that they should believe in their own power and strength and that their faith should be strong and guide them through the coming days.

He said he wasn't afraid of dying himself, and he wasn't making the speech to the people in any way to save his own life or to keep him in position as leader. He said that he was doing it for all of Islam and it was important for people to understand that. He said Afghanistan and Afghans had been through much adversity in the past and that people should be ready for it in the future.