US soldier killed in Afghanistan

The first US soldier has been killed by hostile fire in Afghanistan.

A member of the US Special Forces has been killed by small arms fire in eastern Afghanistan, said General Tommy Franks, the head of US Central Command.

At a Central Command briefing Franks said the member was on a mission "to coordinate with local tribal elements in the vicinity of Gardez Khost." The victim's name was not released, pending notification of his family.