New York, Feb 21 2012 3:10PM
The United Nations today voiced its confidence that the NATO-led military force in Afghanistan will take appropriate action to hold accountable those responsible for the reported burning of copies of the Koran.
An investigation has already been announced by the head of the UN-mandated International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) to examine whether troops improperly disposed of a large number of Islamic religious materials, including copies of the Koran, according to media reports.
A large number of protesters gathered today in front of Bagram air base, located outside Kabul, where the incident allegedly took place on Monday.
In the wake of the incident, Ján Kubiš, the Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Afghanistan, met today with Maulawi Qiyamuddin Kashaaf, the Chairman of the Ulema Council of Afghanistan.
Mr. Kubiš, who is also head of the UN Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA), expressed his full confidence that ISAF will "rapidly conclude the investigation, take appropriate follow-up action as soon as possible and move quickly to hold people behind this incident accountable," the mission said in a statement.
He also <"http://unama.unmissions.org/Default.aspx?tabid=1741&ctl=Details&mid=1882&ItemID=16371">stressed that the UN deeply respects the Islamic faith, traditions and culture of Afghanistan, and that he shared the concerns of the Afghan people regarding this "sad mistake."
Feb 21 2012 3:10PM
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