NATO, UK pull staff out of Afghan ministriesFebruary 26, 2012 - 17:32 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - NATO and Britain have pulled staff out of Afghan government institutions after the killing of two U.S. military advisers took the death toll from raging anti-U.S. protests to around 30, AFP reported. The Taliban claimed responsibility for Saturday February 25 shooting, saying it was in revenge for the burning of Korans at a U.S.-run military base - an incident that forced U.S. President Barack Obama to apologise to the Afghan people. In a day of violence across the country, a UN compound came under attack by thousands of demonstrators in northeastern Kunduz province, but they were driven back when police fired into the crowd. Five people were reported killed in the attack, adding to the death toll from five days of often violent protests over the burning of Korans at the U.S.-run Bagram airbase. The Pentagon said the killings were "unacceptable" and called on Afghan authorities to better protect coalition forces and curtail raging violence. The United States, which leads a 130,000-strong military force fighting the Taliban-led insurgency in Afghanistan, has advisors throughout the Kabul government. Britain said its embassy was also temporarily withdrawing all civilian mentors and advisors from Afghan government institutions in Kabul. Top stories Authorities said a total of 192 Azerbaijani troops were killed and 511 were wounded during Azerbaijan’s offensive. In 2023, the Azerbaijani government will increase the country’s defense budget by more than 1.1 billion manats ($650 million). The bill, published on Monday, is designed to "eliminate the shortcomings of an unreasonably broad interpretation of the key concept of "compatriot". The earthquake caused a temporary blackout, damaged many buildings and closed a number of rural roads. Partner news | The Power of One Dram to benefit Road of Life charity The companies inform that the May beneficiary of The Power of One Dram is the “Road of Life” charitable organization. Ucom General Director gives lecture at French University in Armenia The General Director of Ucom Ralph Yirikian delivered a lecture at the French University of Armenia. Kazakhstan welcomes Yerevan, Baku’s agreement to meet in Almaty Kassym-Jomart Tokayev has welcomed the agreement of Baku and Yerevan to hold negotiations in Almaty. Armenia offers to temporarily host, preserve Gaza manuscripts The Armenian Foreign Minister has said Yerevan is ready to help preserve manuscripts from the conflict zone in Gaza. |