KABUL - The International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) on Thursday said it had taken tight security measures to prevent possible violence in the country over a blasphemous movie.
Deadly protests have erupted over the film, insulting Prophet Hazrat Muhammad (PBUH). The movie, made by American-Israeli real estate investor Sam Basil, was recently released by the same Christian pastor who attempted last year to burn copies of the Quran.
After the release of the film, enraged Muslims staged anti-US protests in Libya, Egypt and other Muslim countries. Violent protests in Libya led to the death of four Americans, including the US ambassador.
"We are taking the issue seriously and ISAF troops have taken urgent security measures to prevent possible violence. They also talked with Afghan forces about the issue," Brig. Gen. Roger Nobel, deputy for ISAF Operations, told a press conference.
"The ISAF respect for Afghan people's culture and religion is strong and fundamental to the way we want to do business here," he remarked, saying foreign troops were here, long away from home, trying to help Afghanistan.
Meanwhile, the US embassy in Kabul also sought assistance from Afghan leaders and people in maintaining calm. In a statement, it urged the Afghans to help them continue working to build a better and secure future for the country.
Since the beginning of 2012, up to 202 civilians have been killed during NATO-led operations across the country, compared to 426 during the same period in 2011, showing a 53 percent decline, Nobel said.
The civilian casualties were reduced due to the measures taken by ISAF and most of the fatalities this year were caused by traffic accidents. Foreign troops were also trying to control such incidents, he explained.
A joint board had been constituted to bring down civilian casualties in the country, he announced, saying they were trying to bring them down to zero.
He claimed the 81 percent of civilians resulted from insurgent attacks and roadside bombings in the country. Last year, the militants killed 2,594 civilians, compared to 2,429 so far during 2012. (Pajhwok)