Major upsurge of violence across Afghanistan

Afghanistan’s government claimed that al-Qaida and Taliban rebels launched a violent campaign last week to subvert landmark legislative elections with a deadly suicide bombing and a failed attempt to down a US military aircraft with a shoulder-launched missile.

Meanwhile, the US military confirmed yesterday that senior al-Qaida suspect Abu Farraj al-Libbi, who was arrested in neighbouring Pakistan a month ago, has been flown to the US – amid expectations he will be questioned on the whereabouts of Osama bin Laden, who is assumed to be hiding in rugged mountains along the border.