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Possible weapons lab found in Afghanistan

WASHINGTON (CNN) -- U.S. troops operating near Kandahar discovered a chemical and biological research facility built by al Qaeda forces in the region, the U.S. military said Saturday.

The site contained laboratory equipment that could be used to research and produce biological and chemical weapons, according to U.S. Central Command, which is overseeing the military campaign in Afghanistan.

American troops found "medical supplies and commonly available laboratory equipment judged suitable for growing biological samples, as well as a variety of associated supplies," said U.S. Central Command.

But a Pentagon official said there is no evidence that any chemical or biological weapons were actually produced at the laboratory.

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"There were no biological agents and no active production of material at this site," the official said.

According to other military officials, the types of materials and equipment found suggest the development of weapons of mass destruction appeared "beyond the grasp" of al Qaeda.

U.S. officials have repeatedly said that Osama bin Laden, the terrorist mastermind alleged to have engineered the September 11 terrorist attacks, has sought various weapons of mass destruction -- including nuclear devices -- as well as biological weapons such as anthrax.

"A variety of sources" led to the discovery of the facility in southern Afghanistan. But defense officials would not say whether interrogations of Taliban and al Qaeda captives being held in Afghanistan and at the U.S. naval base in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, played a role in the discovery.

Pentagon officials said the laboratory is similar to up to 60 sites discovered, identified and examined by U.S. and coalition forces. The sites showed al Qaeda's "obvious intent" to research and develop biological and chemical weapons.

"No one has been able to connect the dots," however, or link the facilities to a common biological or chemical production effort, said U.S. officials.