Taliban Says It’s Too Late to Save Buddhas

KABUL, Afghanistan — The Taliban regime has almost finished destroying two towering statues of Buddha and will complete the job soon despite an international outcry, a top Taliban official said Saturday.

“We have destroyed 80% of the statues. There is only a small amount left, and we will destroy that soon,” said Abdul Hai Muttmain, a spokesman for Taliban leader Mullah Mohammed Omar, who ordered the destruction two weeks ago.

He spoke as Egypt’s chief Muslim cleric headed to Afghanistan to plead for the preservation of the 3rd- and 5th-century statues, which are carved into a mountain in Bamian, about 80 miles northwest of Kabul, the capital. Other Muslim figures were expected to make trips this week.

“Everyone who is coming now is too late,” Muttmain said.