AFGHANISTAN: BOMB EXPLOSION NEAR U.S. EMBASSY IN KABUL

Kabul, 8 Sept. (AKI) - A massive explosion rocked the Afghan capital, Kabul on Friday near the US embassy. The blast tore apart a military vehicle and initial reports quoting local hospital sources say at least three people, including two US soldiers, have been killed in a suspected suicide car bomb attack. The explosion comes as NATO troops have been battling Taliban fighters in the south. NATO chiefs are due to meet in Poland on Friday to discuss the request for troop reinforcements in Afghanistan.

On Thursday, NATO's top commander General James Jones called on all member nations to send more troops to fight against the Taliban in southern Afghanistan. He said that the troops were "a bit surprised" by the extent of violence in that part of the country.

Fighting across Afghanistan is the worst since US forces ousted the Taliban in late 2001. Over 2,000 people, mostly militants, along with scores of civilians and aid workers and hundreds of Afghan security personnel, have died so far this year.