Afghan governor killed by bomber

A suicide bomber killed a deputy governor, his son, his driver and three bodyguards in eastern Afghanistan today.

The bomber drove into the two-car convoy in Ghazni city carrying Khazim Allayer, who survived a bomb attack two months ago.

Afghan government officials are prime targets for the Taliban, who are assassinating people who work with the government or Nato forces.

President Hamid Karzai urged Afghans to denounce violence, saying young people would flee the country.

"Our sons cannot go to school because of bombs and suicide attacks. Our teachers cannot go to school because of clashes and threats of assassination. Schools are closed," he said.

"I don't want my son Mirwais to be a foreigner. I want Mirwais to be Afghan." To the Taliban he said: "My countrymen, do not destroy your own soil to benefit others."

He said that the people of Afghanistan were once again victims of war, caught up in violence as the West tries to fight militants backed by other countries.

"Now Nato is here and they say they are fighting terrorism, and this is the 10th year and there is no result yet," he said, "Whoever has any problem, they come to Afghanistan to find a solution."

Mr Karzai has regularly called on the international community to spend more effort chasing down insurgents across the border in Pakistan.