U.S., Afghanistan sign long-delayed security pact

 A Taliban spokesman, Zabiullah Mujahid, denounced the security pact, declaring it an attempt by the United States to assert its authority over Afghanistan and its people.

“Under the cover of the Security Agreement America wants to occupy our land and nation, and make our people suffer,” Mujahid said in an e-mailed statement.

But tribal leaders in areas targeted by the Taliban said Tuesday that they welcomed the security agreement. They said they hoped it would deliver a blow to the resurging Islamist militancy, as well as what they described as meddling by neighboring Pakistan and Iran.

“If the United States is honest with the security agreement with Afghanistan, the security agreement means prosperity for the Afghans and a heavy slap on the faces of Taliban, Pakistan and Iran,” said Haji Matu Khan, a tribal elder of Marjah district in volatile Helmand province.

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