Taliban reject US commander's statement on peace talks

The Taliban say they "categorically reject" a statement made this week by the US commander of coalition forces in Afghanistan about "off stage" contacts and dialogue taking place between the Kabul government and the insurgents.

Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid says in a statement distributed to the media today that Gen. John Nicholson's remarks, made to reporters at the Pentagon from his Kabul office, were a "baseless claim."