I can't corraboration on U.S.-based online news yet, but here is what The London Times is reporting. (The London Times is considered as venerable and conservative as the New York Times...perhaps more so.) http://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/1,,2001320039,00.html
I'm not sure this means much. He has voluntarily remained in Afghanistan for years. I think it is just a move to try and appease us because they are frightened.