US apologises to Afghans for Koran burning

MOSCOW, Thursday

President Barack Obama has apologised to the Afghan people for the burning of Korans by American troops at a US base.

In a letter to President Hamid Karzai, Obama expressed his “deep regret” and said the incident earlier this week was a genuine mistake.

Demonstrations against the desecration have continued for the third day across northern and eastern Afghanistan.

Two US soldiers and two Afghans were killed in an attack on a military base. Elsewhere, there were four other deaths.

On Wednesday, another seven people were killed and dozens injured in protests.

Obama’s letter, delivered by the US ambassador to Afghanistan, assured the Afghan president that US authorities would question all those responsible.

“I convey my deep sympathies and ask you and the people to accept my deep apologies,” the letter said.

“The error was inadvertent; I assure you that we will take the appropriate steps to avoid any recurrence, to include holding accountable those responsible,” it continued.

President Karzai told members of the Afghan parliament that a US officer was responsible for the burning. But he said it was done out of “ignorance”.

In addition to those killed, many people have been injured in the protests, some of them critically, while armed men today also attacked at least two military installations.

Crowds shouting “death to Obama” have been throwing stones and setting fire to the US flag.

Meanwhile, the Taliban has called on Afghans to kill and beat all invading forces in revenge for “insulting” the Koran.

In a statement, a Taliban spokesman said Afghans should “not stop at protesting” but instead target military bases and personnel to “teach them a lesson that they will never again dare to insult the Holy Koran”.