51.   Afghan forces broke off the attack in early afternoon and withdrew, possibly to allow U.S. bombers to soften up Taliban and al-Qaida positions overnight.

52.   Afghan forces opposing the Taliban are attempting to take advantage of the bombing and are hoping for additional U.S. military assistance.

53.   Afghan forces opposing the Taliban are seeking additional U.S. military assistance.

54.   Afghan forces wore black wool caps with white pieces of paper on the tops, so U.S. helicopter pilots could distinguish them from Taliban and al-Qaida.

55.   Afghan forces guarded that meeting but two unidentified Americans sat in on those talks.

56.   An Iranian Revolutionary Guards general and eight other Iranians have been arrested by Afghan forces and handed over to U.S. authorities, an Afghan politician said Saturday.

57.   An unknown number of Afghan forces were also killed or wounded, they said.

58.   And putting Italy in charge of his security gives the United States and Italy time to train an Afghan force to take over at some point, she said.

59.   Britain agreed to lead the Afghan force after Germany said too much of its forces and equipment were already tied up in the Balkans.

60.   Both are backed by Afghan forces and U.S. special operations troops, as well as by U.S. air support.