US General: Deal With Tribe in Taliban Bastion

KABUL, Afghanistan (AP) — The senior U.S. Marine general in Afghanistan says the leaders of the largest tribe in a Taliban stronghold in the southern Helmand province have pledged to halt insurgent attacks and expel foreign fighters.

Marine Maj. Gen. Richard Mills, who commands coalition forces in the southwest, said Monday the deal was struck between local elders in the violent Sangin district, coalition forces, and Helmand Governor Gulabuddin Mangal.

The area has witnessed some of the heaviest fighting of the war. But the agreement is likely to meet strong resistance from die-hard Taliban.