KABUL, Afghanistan - A new message from the Taliban's reclusive leader says the U.S. and NATO should study Afghanistan's long history of war in a reminder that foreign forces have had limited success in the country.

The message from Mullah Omar comes less than a month before the eighth anniversary of the U.S.-led invasion of Afghanistan. This year has been the deadliest in the conflict for U.S. and NATO troops, and political support for the war is declining.

In his message for the Muslim holiday of Eid al-Fitr, Omar says Pashtun tribesmen fought the British for 80 years in the 19th century and eventually won.

Omar says militants today have "strong determination, military training and effective weapons" and are prepared for a long war.