ANKARA, Turkey — Afghan President Hamid Karzai says the United States must stop "harassing" his country's judicial authority and "respect Afghanistan's sovereignty" over its release of prisoners.

Afghanistan on Thursday released 65 accused militants despite protests from the American military, which says the men are Taliban fighters who will likely return to the battlefield to kill coalition and Afghan forces.

Karzai says "Afghanistan is a sovereign country. If Afghanistan judiciary authorities decide to release prisoners, it is of no concern to the United States."

Karzai was speaking in the Turkish capital of Ankara at the end of a three-way summit between the Afghan, Pakistani and Turkish leaders aimed at promoting dialogue and cooperation.