Afghans stage massive rally against US deal

Thousands of demonstrators have held a fresh massive rally in the Afghan capital, Kabul, to protest against the security deal on the future of the US military presence in the country.

A large number of protesters poured into the streets of Kabul, chanting anti-American slogans and torching American flags and effigies of US President Barack Obama.

The angry protesters also called on the Afghan government to reject any possible agreement. The demonstrators said a security treaty between Washington and Kabul will pave the way for a prolonged US military presence in Afghanistan.

The demonstrations come after grand assembly of Afghan tribal elders and politicians endorsed the pact with Washington on Sunday. The approval of the deal was announced on the final day of intensive talks among tribal elders who were tasked with deciding the fate of the deal. The security deal allows the US to keep thousands of its troops in Afghanistan beyond the 2014 withdrawal date for foreign troops.

Meanwhile, Afghan president has rejected the US demand that Kabul sign the deal between the two countries as soon as possible. A spokesman for Afghan President Hamid Karzai has said that the agreement must wait until after next year’s presidential election, even if it is approved by the Loya Jirga and the parliament.

Protesters also say American forces are responsible for the death of many civilians in their country. A vast majority of ordinary Afghans are angry over raids by American and other foreign troops.

President Karzai has also strongly condemned a Thursday’s air strike that targeted Afghan women and children. He has threatened to reject a planned security pact with the US, if “oppressions by foreign forces continue” in his country.

Afghan political figures have also heaped scorn on US-led forces for committing unforgivable crimes against Afghan women and children since invading the country in 2001.

Thousands of Afghan civilians, including a large number of women and children, have been killed during night raids by foreign forces and CIA-run assassination drone strikes.

The increasing number of casualties in Afghanistan has caused widespread anger against the US and other NATO member states.