11.   The tribesmen said mining operations also encourage soil erosion and harm agricultural lands with chemical runoffs.

12.   The tribe has refused a government request to allow a doctor to visit Verweij, a tribesman said Saturday.

13.   The tribesmen say al-Qaida fighters and Taliban leaders, who earlier came from southern Kandahar to rule their province, are gone.

14.   Tribal captors of a Dutch tourist will release him Wednesday under a swap deal with the government, a tribesman said.