Khalilzad is an Afghan 'Only By Name' Says The Taliban

In its first reaction to reports about ex-U.S. envoy Zalmay Khalilzad's appointment to a key post in the upcoming Afghan administration, Taliban spokesperson Zabihullah Mujahid said Khalilzad was Afghan "only by name." Mujahed accused Khalilzad of working as a spy for the CIA for over 40 years.

"We remind our citizens once again, that the elections have already been held in Washington in advance, and they will choose the person who is more committed to implementing Obama's strategy," said Mujahed in the interview that was published on the Taliban's website. He added that Khalilzad was married to a Jewish woman and headed an organization that was hostile to Islam.

Mujahed claimed Khalilzad would be the one with real control over the country, would not need parliament approval for decisions and current Afghan President Hamid Karzai would be reporting to him.

Finally, he called on Afghanis to support the Taliban "in achieving the country's independence and solving problems in a realistic manner."