Iran Condemns NATO Killing Of Afghan Civilians

Tehran, May 28, IRNA - Foreign Ministry Spokesman Ramin Mehmanparast denounced airstrikes by NATO drones in eastern Afghanistan province of Paktia which resulted in death of at least eight members of an Afghan family. Mehmanparast said that the NATO airstrike and killing of Afghan civilians are evident violation of international law and human rights by NATO forces in Afghanistan. 'We consider the swift withdrawal of foreign troops from Afghanistan the only way for bringing back security and stability to Afghanistan,' he added. A total of eight Afghan civilians, including six children (all belonging to a single family) were killed during a strike by a NATO drone on a residential complex in eastern Paktia province. The casualties of civilians in Afghanistan has harmed Afghan-US relations. The US commands the NATO troops fighting a war against the Taliban militia in Afghanistan. Afghan President Hamid Karzai summoned the commander of ISAF forces in Afghanistan, General John Allen and US Ambassador to Afghanistan Ryan Crocker over NATO drone strikes on Afghan civilians./end