Afghanistan has condemned the killing of civilians during an airstrike by U.S. warplanes last Friday during a search for missing American forces.
A spokesman for President Hamid Karzai said today (Tuesday) the Afghan leader was "saddened and disturbed" by reports of up to 17 civilian deaths, adding that such killing could not be justified.
Earlier, U.S. military officials apologized for the civilian deaths during an airstrike in eastern Kunar province.
In another development, U.S. officials say they have recovered bodies of two of the Navy SEALS missing in the region since last week. Pentagon officials have not given details of the recovery in order to protect the ongoing operation in the area.
The two servicemen were part of a four-man reconnaissance team that disappeared last Tuesday. One of the SEALS was rescued Saturday after he took shelter in the home of an Afghan village elder. The fourth member of the team remains missing.
Some information for this report provided by AP, AFP and Reuters.