US commander of Nato troops apologises to Afghans

More than 2,000 Afghans have been demonstrating outside the Bagram air base in Afghanistan after hearing rumours that US troops had burnt copies of the Koran and other Islamic literature.

The US commander of Nato troops in Afghanistan, General John R Allen, has apologised over reports that troops had "improperly disposed" of copies of the Koran, and in a statement ordered a full investigation.