Nato vows action on Afghan deaths

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Nato forces in Afghanistan have vowed to improve coordination with the Afghan authorities to avoid civilian deaths.

Their pledge follows the reported deaths of about 50 civilians this week in fighting in western Afghanistan between US-led troops and militants.

President Hamid Karzai warned that his people were losing patience over the continuing bloodshed.

Western forces have been accused of carelessness over civilian lives when attacking Taleban fighters.

'Biggest mistake'

"There's absolutely room for additional coordination," Lt Col Maria Carl, a spokeswoman for Nato's International Security Assistance Force (Isaf) said.

Mr Karzai said civilian casualty levels were unacceptable

"We are seeking new ways, all of us in country - the government, the coalition, Isaf - to improve these processes."

Protesters called this week for the removal of President Karzai for failing to stop civilian killings, which have come during heavy fighting in the country as its western-backed government tries to eject the Taleban from the country.

The death of civilians has been a major issue in Afghanistan, with Nato saying in January that its biggest mistake in 2006 had been the killing of innocent people. It promised to do better.

Taleban stronghold

Correspondents say most civilian deaths in Afghanistan are the result of suicide bombings and other attacks by the Taleban.

The president repeated his call for increased military coordination on Wednesday at a meeting with the US ambassador, the UN, Nato and European Union representatives.

Afghans have regularly protested against civilian deaths

He warned of "serious consequences for all" if civilian deaths were not curbed.

Most of the recent civilian deaths have been reported from the western province of Herat, an area not usually seen as a Taleban stronghold.

Correspondents say that fact has prompted many Afghans to reject initial reports from US-led coalition forces that the dead were mostly Taleban fighters.

Nato says that enquiries are under way into what happened in Herat, where - like the rest of the country - there have been a series of demonstrations against civilian killings.

Hundreds of protesters in Herat chanted "death to America" in the latest protest, which began after Afghan soldiers, deployed to the area following recent fighting, shot and wounded two men on a motorbike who they said had ignored warnings to stop.