Kabul, July 31 (Prensa Latina) The Taliban has called for a boycott of the Afghan presidential and provincial elections scheduled Aug 20 and warned it would launch fresh attacks if its diktat is not heeded.

In a statement to the media Friday, the rebels said people must boycott these elections as the polls are backed by the US.

'The Afghans must come together to free the country from the invading troops. To participate in the elections means to be sympathetic to the occupying troops. The supporters of the holy war must frustrate the false election process,' it said.

Thousands of foreign troops have been deployed in Afghanistan to ensure peaceful elections. US special envoy for Pakistan and Afghanistan Richard Holbrooke said earlier that the elections in Afghanistan will be a very complex activity.