Angry Karzai vows to ban air strikes on houses

Angered by civilian casualties, Afghan president Hamid Karzai has vowed to no longer allow Nato air strikes on houses, issuing his strongest statement yet against attacks that the military alliance says are vital to its war on Taleban insurgents.

Nato countered that air strikes on houses are essential and will continue, setting up a possible confrontation with Mr Karzai.

The president's remarks followed a recent strike that mistakenly killed children and women in southern Helmand province. Mr Karzai declared it would be the last.

"From this moment, air strikes on the houses of people are not allowed," Mr Karzai said.

Ordering air strikes is a command decision in Afghanistan and Nato spokeswoman Major Sunset Belinsky insisted they would continue. She said: "Coalition forces constantly strive to reduce the chance of civilian casualties and damage to structures. But when the insurgents use civilians as a shield and put our forces in a position where their only option is to use air strikes, then they will take that option."

In Brussels, Nato spokeswoman Oana Lungescu said the alliance took Mr Karzai's concerns very seriously and would continue to make every effort to avoid civilian casualties. However, she said air strikes on houses were co-ordinated with Afghan forces and "they continue to be necessary".

"In many of these operations, Afghans are in the lead," she said. She would not comment specifically on the recent raid in Helmand province.

Mr Karzai's spokesman said the president planned to stand firm on the issue, regardless of the fallout with Nato.