A video showing US forces urinating on dead Taliban fighters prompted anger in Afghanistan on Thursday, but the insurgent group said it would not harm nascent efforts to broker peace talks.
A Taliban spokesman said the tape would not affect talks or a mooted prisoner
release. "This is not the first time we see such brutality," said spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid.
"The video will not harm our talks and prisoner exchange because they are at the preliminary stage."
The administration, seeing a glimmer of hope after months of efforts to broker talks, is launching a fresh round of shuttle diplomacy this weekend.
Marc Grossman, Obama's special representative for Afghanistan and Pakistan, will fly into the region for talks with Afghan President Hamid Karzai and top officials in Turkey, Saudi Arabia and UAE.