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Afghan Koran protests rage for fourth day Afghan Koran protests rage for fourth day
(40 minutes later)
Afghan protesters have taken to the streets for a fourth consecutive day over the burning of Korans by American troops at a US air base.Afghan protesters have taken to the streets for a fourth consecutive day over the burning of Korans by American troops at a US air base.
Crowds in Kabul are heading towards the city centre and protests have also been reported in northern Afghanistan. Crowds in Kabul are heading towards the city centre and protests have also been reported across Afghanistan.
On Thursday at least eight people died, including two US soldiers, as violence flared in the north and east.On Thursday at least eight people died, including two US soldiers, as violence flared in the north and east.
US President Barack Obama also apologised to the Afghan people saying, the incident was a "genuine mistake".US President Barack Obama also apologised to the Afghan people saying, the incident was a "genuine mistake".
In a letter to President Hamid Karzai, Mr Obama expressed his "deep regret". Mr Obama's letter, delivered by the US ambassador to Afghanistan, assured the Afghan president that US authorities would question all those responsible.In a letter to President Hamid Karzai, Mr Obama expressed his "deep regret". Mr Obama's letter, delivered by the US ambassador to Afghanistan, assured the Afghan president that US authorities would question all those responsible.
Muslims consider the Koran the literal word of God and treat each book with deep reverence.Muslims consider the Koran the literal word of God and treat each book with deep reverence.
Authorities seem to have acted early to try to prevent Friday's protests from getting close to sensitive installations, the BBC's Orla Guerin in Kabul reports.
Several protests have been reported around the country on Friday:Several protests have been reported around the country on Friday:
  • Police sources say five separate groups are heading to different locations in Kabul, including Nato headquarters and the US Embassy. Some 300 people, mostly children throwing stones and armed with sticks, are heading towards Kabul's main military training centre, security sources told the BBC
  • In Baghlan, where about 1,000 people are on the streets, there are reports of gunfire and stone-throwing
  • In Ghazni, 600 demonstrators have gathered outside the governor's office shouting "death to Obama"
  • About 300 protesters have turned out in Kunduz province
  • Several thousand people protesting in Nangarhar have blocked a highway
  • A demonstration in Gardez, capital of Paktia province, is now reported to be over
  • A demonstration has been reported in the northern city of Mazar-e-Sharif
  • Five separate groups are heading to different locations in Kabul, including Nato headquarters and the US Embassy, police say, with one protestor reported wounded when police fired into the air. Some 300 people are heading towards Kabul's main military training centre, security sources told the BBC
  • In Baghlan, where about 1,000 people are on the streets, there are reports of gunfire and stone-throwing
  • Thousands are reported to have turned out in Herat, with a group making its way to the US consulate
  • In Ghazni, 600 demonstrators have gathered outside the governor's office shouting "death to Obama"
  • About 300 protesters have turned out in Kunduz province
  • Several thousand people protesting in Nangarhar have blocked a highway
  • A demonstration in Gardez, capital of Paktia province, is now reported to be over
  • A demonstration has been reported in the northern city of Mazar-e-Sharif
German troops are also moving from a small base in Takhar province to a larger facility in neighbouring Kunduz province because of protests, German media reports say. German troops are also moving from a small base in Takhar province to a larger facility in neighbouring Kunduz province because of protests.
'Lesson' 'Major error'
Earlier on Friday, Nato commander in Afghanistan, Gen John Allen, appealed for calm.
"I call on everyone throughout the country - Isaf members and Afghans - to exercise patience and restraint as we continue to gather the facts", Gen Allen said in a statement.
"Working together with the Afghan leadership is the only way for us to correct this major error and ensure that it never happens again," he said.
On Thursday President Karzai told members of the Afghan parliament that a US officer was responsible for the burning, but said it was done out of "ignorance".On Thursday President Karzai told members of the Afghan parliament that a US officer was responsible for the burning, but said it was done out of "ignorance".
But the various apologies proffered by Nato and the US have failed to quell the anger.But the various apologies proffered by Nato and the US have failed to quell the anger.
The BBC's Bilal Sarwary in Kabul reports that the Afghan authorities have been blamed for failing to handle the violence and for several intelligence shortcomings.The BBC's Bilal Sarwary in Kabul reports that the Afghan authorities have been blamed for failing to handle the violence and for several intelligence shortcomings.
On Thursday the Taliban had called on Afghans to attack "invading forces" in revenge for "insulting" the Koran.On Thursday the Taliban had called on Afghans to attack "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".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".
Last year, at least 24 people died in protests across Afghanistan after a hardline US pastor burned a Koran in Florida.Last year, at least 24 people died in protests across Afghanistan after a hardline US pastor burned a Koran in Florida.
Are you in Afghanistan? Are you planning to take part in protests? You can send us your comments and experiences using the form below.Are you in Afghanistan? Are you planning to take part in protests? You can send us your comments and experiences using the form below.
Send your pictures and videos to yourpics@bbc.co.uk or text them to 61124 (UK) or +44 7624 800 100 (International). If you have a large file you can upload here.Send your pictures and videos to yourpics@bbc.co.uk or text them to 61124 (UK) or +44 7624 800 100 (International). If you have a large file you can upload here.
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