Karzai urges restraint

Afghanistan’s president has urged Nato to do more to protect civilians during combat operations to secure Marjah, a southern Taliban stronghold and scene of the biggest allied ground assault of the eight-year war.

Nato forces have repeatedly said they want to prevent civilian casualties but acknowledge that it is not always possible.

Addressing the opening session of the Afghan parliament in Kabul, President Hamid Karzai said Nato had made progress in reducing civilian casualties but more needed to be done to protect civilians caught up in the fighting.