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Marines complete search of Taliban compound

(CNN) -- About 200 U.S. Marines returned to base in Kandahar, Afghanistan, in the pre-dawn hours Wednesday after conducting a search of a walled compound where it is believed Taliban supreme leader Mullah Mohammed Omar once stayed.

The compound, described as a massive complex with at least 14 separate buildings, is located in the Helmand province, just west of the Marines' Kandahar base.

The Marines returned in light armored vehicles and Humvees after being gone for about 30 hours.

The Marines, who were accompanied by anti-Taliban forces on the mission, said they did not encounter any hostile fire and described the search as a good one, although few other details were given.

While the Marines were conducting their operation, U.S. Special Forces soldiers were working with local anti-Taliban forces, under the command of Kandahar Gov. Gul Agha Shirzai, to persuade 1,500 Taliban fighters in Baghran to hand over their weapons.

Shirzai said he wants the Taliban fighters to surrender within five days.

Latest developments

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• President Bush Monday named Dr. Zalmay Khalilzad, a special assistant on the National Security Council, to the new position of special presidential envoy for Afghanistan. Khalilzad -- an Afghan native -- will work with the U.N. representative to Afghanistan.

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