The office of Afghan President Hamid Karzai has condemned U.S. media reports alleging that his
government's top officials received money from the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA).
The response came after "The New York Times" and "The Washington Post" reported that the CIA paid cash to senior government figures in Kabul in return for information.
"We strongly condemn such irresponsible allegations which just create doubt and defame responsible people of this country," a statement issued by Karzai's office said.
"The New York Times" reported the CIA had been paying Mohammad Zia Salehi, the chief of administration for Karzai's National Security Office, who was arrested last month as part of an investigation into corruption.
The statement, which did not explicitly address or deny the allegations, also said that "Afghanistan believes that making such allegations will not strengthen the alliance against terrorism and will not strengthen an Afghanistan based on the law and rules, but will have negative effects in those areas."
compiled from agency reports