The appalling killing of at least 16 Afghan civilians, including 9 children, by a 38-year-old US Army Staff Sergeant in Panjwai, Kandahar, Afghanistan, will have inevitable repercussions.

The first British peacekeepers have flown into Afghanistan as the United Nations approved their mission to help the nation heal after decades of war.

Afghanistan's defence minister says there are sharp differences with the UN and even within the new government over the role of the peace-keeping force.

The brick-and-concrete buildings on the Soviet-built air base at Baghram have been perforated by shell fire and blackened with smoke. Most of the roofs were blown off long ago.

Afghanistan's opposition claims hundreds of Taliban soldiers have been defecting.