US amend rules for troops to question detainees

A controversial policy that gives US forces in Afghanistan four days to question detainees is being changed to give soldiers more time to interrogate the captives.



General David Petraeus made the disclosure during a sitting of the Senate Armed Services Committee yesterday.



General Petraeus said that American troops will now be able to hold detainees for up to 14 days before either releasing them or turning them over to the Afghan government.



He added that in some cases, longer detention periods will be an option.

General Petraeus says the new rule is designed to give the Afghan government control over detainees and avoid abuses.