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Afghanistan Koran protests claim more lives | Afghanistan Koran protests claim more lives |
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Thousands of enraged Afghans have taken to the streets for a fourth day, after US soldiers inadvertently set fire to copies of the Koran. | Thousands of enraged Afghans have taken to the streets for a fourth day, after US soldiers inadvertently set fire to copies of the Koran. |
In the deadliest day of unrest so far, at least 12 people died across the country, as mobs charged at US bases and diplomatic missions. | In the deadliest day of unrest so far, at least 12 people died across the country, as mobs charged at US bases and diplomatic missions. |
More than 20 people have been killed since the unrest began, including two US soldiers who died on Thursday. | More than 20 people have been killed since the unrest began, including two US soldiers who died on Thursday. |
President Barack Obama has apologised for the Koran-burning incident. | President Barack Obama has apologised for the Koran-burning incident. |
In a letter to his Afghan counterpart Hamid Karzai, Mr Obama said the books had been "unintentionally mishandled". | In a letter to his Afghan counterpart Hamid Karzai, Mr Obama said the books had been "unintentionally mishandled". |
US personnel apparently put the books into a rubbish incinerator at Bagram air base, near Kabul. | US personnel apparently put the books into a rubbish incinerator at Bagram air base, near Kabul. |
Spreading unrest | Spreading unrest |
Most of the deaths reported on Friday were in western Herat province, which had seen little unrest previously. | Most of the deaths reported on Friday were in western Herat province, which had seen little unrest previously. |
After the anger expressed in the Afghan parliament on Wednesday, where mullahs were prompted to encourage demonstrations, it was certain that protests would last until Friday. | |
The fact that crowds targeted police stations shows how frustrations were driven not just by Koran burnings but also by issues such as such insecurity, poor governance, corruption and unemployment. | |
Afghan forces, particularly the intelligence agency, clearly need to improve their performance as they failed for a second day to identify groups and individuals wanting to take advantage of the chaos. Some protesters in Kabul were armed and managed to open fire on the police. | |
It seems likely that protests will fizzle out on Saturday, unless there is appetite in the establishment for more anger to be vented. But it will take the US a long time to repair its image, and this may prove a costly mistake in the campaign to win hearts and minds. | |
A group of demonstrators tried to attack the US consulate in Herat city, burning police vehicles and leaving several officers injured. | A group of demonstrators tried to attack the US consulate in Herat city, burning police vehicles and leaving several officers injured. |
Hospital officials confirmed four people had been killed, but it was unclear how they had died. | Hospital officials confirmed four people had been killed, but it was unclear how they had died. |
Another four people died near the town of Adraskan, 70km (45 miles) south of Herat city. | Another four people died near the town of Adraskan, 70km (45 miles) south of Herat city. |
Elsewhere in Afghanistan: | Elsewhere in Afghanistan: |
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Reports say isolated protests have also broken out in Pakistan, where there is a tradition of angry anti-US rallies. | Reports say isolated protests have also broken out in Pakistan, where there is a tradition of angry anti-US rallies. |
'Major error' | 'Major error' |
Earlier on Friday, Nato commander in Afghanistan, Gen John Allen, appealed for calm. | 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. | "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." | "Working together with the Afghan leadership is the only way for us to correct this major error and ensure that it never happens again." |
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. |
And the various apologies from Nato and the US have not cooled the anger on the streets, says the BBC's Orla Guerin in Kabul. | And the various apologies from Nato and the US have not cooled the anger on the streets, says the BBC's Orla Guerin in Kabul. |
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. |
Last year, at least 24 people died in protests across Afghanistan after a hard-line US pastor burned a Koran in Florida. | Last year, at least 24 people died in protests across Afghanistan after a hard-line 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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