Afghan President Karzai Furious That he Was Left Out Of The Taliban Prisoner Deal

Afghanistan's incumbent President Hamid Karzai speaks during a cultural event in Kabul May 15, 2014. Credit: REUTERS/Omar Sobhani

Afghan President Fumes At Prisoner Deal Made Behind His Back: Source -- Reuters

(Reuters) - The Afghan president is angry at being kept in the dark over a deal to free five Taliban leaders in exchange for a captured U.S. soldier, and accuses Washington of failing to back a peace plan for the war-torn country, a senior source said on Monday.

The five prisoners were flown to Qatar on Sunday as part of a secret agreement to release Army Sergeant Bowe Bergdahl, who left Afghanistan for Germany on the same day.

The only known U.S. prisoner of war in Afghanistan, Bergdahl had been held captive for five years.

"The president is now even more distrustful of U.S. intentions in the country," said the source close to President Hamid Karzai's palace in Kabul, who declined to be identified.

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Update: Afghanistan criticizes swap for captive US soldier -- AP

My Comment: Afghan President Karzai has been calling for the closure and release of Afghan Guantanamo detainees for years .... he is just upset that at the end of his term in office he was not involved in what is (for him) a PR opportunity.