Koran-burning protests continue in Afghanistan

Protests erupted in Afghanistan again today over a US pastor’s burning of the Koran – the fourth day of demonstrations against the destruction of Islam’s holy book in a country struggling to beat back an insurgency led by Taliban religious extremists.

The demonstration in eastern Laghman province briefly threatened to turn into another melee as about 300 protesters brandished sticks and threw stones at police, who in turned started firing shots in the air, according to an Associated Press photographer at the scene.