US commander apologises over Quran mistreatment

Orders full investigation into allegations that foreign troops burnt copies of the holy book.

The US commander of Nato troops in Afghanistan apologised on Tuesday over reports that foreign troops had set fire to copies of the Holy Quran and ordered a full investigation into the allegations.

“When we learned of these actions, we immediately intervened and stopped them. The materials recovered will be properly handled by appropriate religious authorities,” General John Allen said in a statement.

“I offer my sincere apologies for any offence this may have caused, to the president of Afghanistan, the government of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan, and most importantly, to the noble people of Afghanistan.”