'ISAF to soon conclude probe into Afghan Quran row'

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The United Nations on Wednesday said the UN-mandated International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) will soon conclude probe into the 'inappropriate' handling of the Muslim religious material in Kabul and hold those behind the incident accountable.

An investigation has been announced to examine whether foreign troops improperly disposed of a large number of Islamic religious materials, including copies of the Quran, in the Bagram base, one of the largest US bases in Afghanistan.

In the wake of the incident, Special Representative of the Secretary-General (SRSG) for Afghanistan Jan Kubis met Chairman of the Ulema Council of Afghanistan with Maulawi Qiyamuddin Kashaaf in Kabul, according to a UN statement here.

The SRSG 'expressed his full confidence that ISAF will rapidly conclude the investigation, take appropriate follow-up action as soon as possible and move quickly to hold people behind this incident accountable."

Kubis told Maulawi Kashaaf that he shared concerns of the people of Afghanistan regarding this 'sad mistake that hurts the religious feelings of the people'.

He stressed that the United Nations deeply respects the Islamic faith, traditions and culture of Afghanistan.
Kubis noted that US General John Allen, the top commander of American and NATO forces in Afghanistan, had apologized to the people and authorities in Afghanistan and ordered an investigation into the incident, which has sparked outrage and massive protests in the country.