Protests erupted outside the main US military base in Afghanistan and in Kabul on Tuesday over allegations that foreign troops had set fire to copies of the Quran, police said.

Thousands of protesters besieged Bagram airbase, north of Kabul, throwing petrol bombs which set fire to a gate, an AFP photographer said

The US commander of NATO troops in Afghanistan apologised on Tuesday over reports that foreign troops had set fire to copies of the Holy Quran and ordered a full investigation into the allegations.

“When we learned of these actions, we immediately intervened and stopped them. The materials recovered will be properly handled by appropriate religious authorities,” General John Allen said in a statement.

Given the fact that this act hurt the sentiments of millions of Muslims around the world, the US commander saw fit to apologize to the Afghan nation only.

“I offer my sincere apologies for any offence this may have caused, to the president of Afghanistan, the government of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan, and most importantly, to the noble people of Afghanistan.”

Source: AFP