Hundreds of Afghans 'starved to death' before bombing started

Christian Aid says 600 people died in northern Afghanistan in the weeks before the bombing campaign.

It says they were victims of starvation, malnutrition and disease.

The charity says people died two months ago in the mountainous area of Dari-i-Suf in Samangan Province.

Fighting between the local Hazara and Taliban forces had previously prevented the news from getting through.

Christian Aid spokesman John Davison said: "While the deaths predate the current conflict involving the USA and its British allies, it is a horrifying foretaste of what may be about to happen elsewhere in the country.

"It only adds weight to our call for all sides in the conflict to suspend military action so that urgent humanitarian aid can be effectively delivered - now."