Afghan leader survives failed assassination

AFGHAN president Hamid Karzai survived an assassination attempt yesterday when a security guard fired at his car shortly after 22 people were killed in a car blast in Kabul.

The Kandahar governor, Gul Agha Sherzai, was wounded in the attack and witnesses saw him bleeding from the neck. The attack happened as Mr Karzai's car was leaving the governor's mansion in Kandahar.

Kabul Police Chief Basir Salangi accused al-Qaida of orchestrating the attacks. "This is the work of al-Qaida," he said.