The US Defence Secretary Robert Gates has apologised over the deaths of nine Afghan boys over the weekend in a NATO air strike. The incident has triggered widespread public anger in Afghanistan. Mr Gates’ apology comes just one day after Afghan President Hamid Karzai rejected an apology from Gen David Petraeus, the US commander of foreign troops in Afghanistan. US President Barack Obama also apologised for the killings of the boys, which he described as a tragic accident.

Robert Gates, who paid an unannounced visit to Kabul yesterday, said Washington is well positioned to begin withdrawing troops from Afghanistan in July. He discussed the future of US involvement in the conflict-torn country.