Nine die in Afghan protests against US

Islamic clerics speaking at weekly Friday prayers told worshippers that protests over the reported desecration of the holy book were justified, but urged Muslims to shun violence.

Their words fell on deaf ears as clashes erupted in various parts of the country shortly after prayers ended.

Four police officers and national army soldiers were killed in a gun battle with anti-US protesters in Ghazni province, 90 miles south-west of the capital, Kabul, residents said.

Three protesters were killed in the remote north-eastern province of Badakhshan, said provincial police chief Shah Jahan Noori. The situation had calmed down but he feared more trouble.

"Apart from the three killed, 21 people, including two police, were wounded," he said.

Newsweek magazine said in its 9 May edition that investigators probing abuses at the US military prison in Cuba found that interrogators "had placed Korans on toilets, and in at least one case flushed a holy book down the toilet".

The US Secretary of State, Condoleezza Rice, urged Muslims to resist calls for violence, saying US military authorities were investigating the allegation.

One person was also killed in a protest in Badghis in the north-west and one in Paktia in the south-east, police said.

In all, 16 people have been killed in protests this week and about 100 hurt.

Police stations, premises of the US-backed government and the UN, and aid offices have been attacked and set on fire.

The initial protests were led by students who took to the streets chanting "death to America", denouncing their government and demanding punishment for those they believe desecrated the Koran.

But they have been joined by older men, many wielding sticks and hurling stones, and some of them armed.

The US commands a foreign force in Afghanistan of about 18,300, fighting Taleban insurgents and hunting for al-Qaeda leaders. Britain is due to take over the command in January.