UN evacuates northern Afghan office

KABUL-The Associated Press

AFP photo

The United Nations says it is moving international staff from an office in northern Afghanistan that was attacked last week by demonstrators protesting the burning of Qurans by U.S. troops.

The U.N. says in a statement issued Monday that the evacuation in the town of Kunduz is temporary and that staffers will be relocated elsewhere in Afghanistan until the organization is sure the office can operate in safety.

At least three protesters died and 50 were injured in Kunduz on Saturday when crowds attacked the U.N. office and government buildings.

Elsewhere in the province on the following day, protesters hurled grenades at a U.S. base, wounding seven NATO service members. Two demonstrators were killed in the ensuing clash.