The Times
Jerome Starkey in Kabul

Police opened fire as hundreds of protesters tried to storm Afghanistan’s parliament yesterday.

Religious students chanting “Death to America” burnt an effigy of President Obama less than a week after he warned that Kabul might no longer be a credible partner in the fight against the Taleban.

Organisers insisted it was a spontaneous demonstration to protest against allegations that American troops had burnt a copy of the Koran in Wardak province – claims that were denied by Nato and the Afghan authorities.

Diplomats and political analysts suggested that the demonstration was a show of strength designed to make a political point.

“This was not a spontaneous demonstration,” a senior Afghan official said. “Someone wants to show they have the power to bring people on to the street.”

Banners in the crowd read “Down with democracy, long live Islam,” echoing suggestions from President Karzai’s campaign team that a second presidential election, scheduled for November 7, is against the best interests of Afghanistan. (Read more).