In Afghanistan, the number of U.S. troops on the ground has reached 26,000 — the highest number since the U.S. invaded the country over five years. On Saturday, the United States took command of the NATO-led troops. Meanwhile, the Taliban is threatening to make 2007 the deadliest year so far for foreign troops in Afghanistan.

Mullah Hayatullah Khan, a Taliban commander: “I want to announce that 10 percent of our mujahideen are ready for suicide attacks against Americans, so we have 2,000 Talibans who want to carry bombs against Americans in Afghanistan.”

Meanwhile, the Afghan Parliament has approved a bill granting amnesty for all crimes committed in Afghanistan over the past 25 years. Critics said the move was made to protect lawmakers who have been accused in the past of human rights abuses.