Taliban Claim To Have Loya Jirga Security Plan

The Taliban in Afghanistan has published what it claims are security plans for an upcoming national meeting, but the Afghan government has dismissed the claim as baseless.

The Taliban on its website on November 13 published what it said were maps of the venue where the gathering will take place, as well as a list of security arrangements.

But the Afghan Interior Ministry said the documents were a fake and that the Taliban want to scare Afghans who will attend the traditional loya jirga.

The assembly is to open in Kabul on November 16 and last at least three days. It will involve around 2,000 elders and political figures.

A similar jirga in June 2010 was marred by rockets and gunfire during President Hamid Karzai's opening speech. Three civilians were injured in the attack, which proved a major embarrassment to the central government.

Karzai called this week's gathering to discuss Afghanistan's long-term relationship with the United States as well as efforts to reconcile with insurgents.

The Taliban has already threatened to target the assembly.

compiled from agency reports