Afghan officials expect more Taliban leaders to surrender

KABUL, Afghanistan -- Elated by the reported surrender of the former Taliban foreign minister, Afghan officials said Saturday they believe other Taliban figures may give themselves up.

Still, they warned that holdouts of the one-time ruling militia and the al-Qaida terrorist network continue to threaten Afghanistan's security.

Mullah Wakil Ahmed Muttawakil, who served as foreign minister until the Taliban were driven from power, turned himself in to Afghan authorities Friday in Kandahar, according to U.S. military officials.

"This is a moment that we have been waiting for -- to make sure that these individuals face trial, either in Afghanistan or outside Afghanistan, for their actions and deeds in the past," said Omar Samad, a spokesman for the Afghan Foreign Ministry.

"It's about time that a known Taliban figure who held a position of authority is turning himself in, and hopefully others will be caught later," he said.

Foreign Minister Abdullah said it was important that Taliban figures were in custody and "not allowed to undermine the stability of the interim government."

"The pockets of al-Qaida or the Taliban that are left can pose a threat," said Abdullah, who uses one name.

Although authorities are concerned about the threat posed by Taliban holdouts, the government on Saturday released 320 captured Taliban fighters, a gesture of reconciliation as the new administration focuses on rebuilding a country shattered by decades of war.

In a speech before shivering prisoners lined up in the freezing weather on a field in front of the presidential palace, Karzai told the men to go back to their homes.

"Instead of using guns, work and earn money," he said.