Afghan aid group warns against Koran-burning

An umbrella group representing aid groups in Afghanistan said Wednesday civilians and its members in the war-wracked country could be killed if US evangelists go ahead with a plan to burn the Koran.

The Dove World Outreach Center, in Gainesville, Florida, plans to mark Saturday's ninth anniversary of the September 11 attacks by burning copies of Islam's holy book, in what it says will be a warning to radical Muslims.

The Agency Co-ordinating Body for Afghan Relief (ACBAR), an agency co-ordinating the work of NGOs in Afghanistan, called on the "organisers of this irresponsible initiative" to drop their demonstration.

There are more than 100,000 US troops in Afghanistan





"In the context of Afghanistan, where the situation remains precarious, such an initiative could cost the lives of innocent civilians and dedicated humanitarian workers," ACBAR said in a statement.

"ACBAR, as the main NGO network of Afghanistan, condemns any manifestation of disrespect for Islam," it added.

Earlier, the US commander of foreign forces in Afghanistan, General David Petraeus, said that the evangelists would be putting US troops in danger if they went ahead with their demonstration.

There are more than 100,000 US troops in Afghanistan, fighting an Islamic insurgency being waged by the remnants of the Taliban, who were ousted from power in a US-led invasion in late 2001.