Bomb Blast in Kabul

KABUL: A bomb blast killed four civilians in a crowded part of the Afghan capital on Sunday, security sources said.
It happened opposite a clinic on a road often used by foreign forces, a source said.
The blast took place just two days before dozens of foreign ministers — including UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon and US Secretary of state Hillary Clinton — were due in the capital for an international conference of Afghanistan's future.
Some 150,000 foreign troops are squared off against a Taliban insurgency at its strongest since the group was overthrown by a US-led force in the aftermath of the September 11, 2001 attacks.

A loud blast was heard Sunday in central Kabul, shaking residential buildings, two days ahead of a landmark international conference, a witness told AFP.
"A very loud explosion rocked the whole of Mackroyan," said Noorzia, a resident of the central Kabul suburb.
She said the blast took place at 11:50 am (7:20 GMT).
Other witnesses told AFP that the blast took place on the main road of the district. Police and the interior ministry could not immediately confirm the cause.
Kabul is set to host a major gathering of its international partners -- including about 40 foreign ministers -- on Tuesday, where the government will lay out is plan for the future.
Security forces have thrown a ring of steel around the city to head off any Taliban attacks, with police stationed every few metres along key streets and thousands of extra police officers on duty, authorities said.
Up to 70 international representatives, including US secretary of state Hillary Clinton -- are due to attend the conference, to be co-chaired by President Hamid Karzai and UN secretary-general Ban Ki-moon.
The conference is being billed as a bid by the Afghan government to start a process of transition from dependence on Western backers to running the country alone and responsibly.
Following Taliban attacks on a major domestic conference, or peace jirga, in early June -- which led to the dismissal of the interior minister and the head of the intelligence agency -- authorities said they were taking no chances.
At least two rockets were fired at the jirga as Karzai delivered his opening address. A suicide cell was later cornered and killed by security forces.
"Security is on track," Zemarai Bashary, interior ministry spokesman, said Saturday.
"We're determined to provide good security for the Kabul Conference."
He said "thousands" of police officers, soldiers and intelligence agents had been deployed "in vulnerable areas" from the city centre to remote villages around the capital to thwart any Taliban attack plans.
© ANP/AFP
Explosion in Afghan capital wounds civilians
KABUL, Afghanistan — An Afghan official says a suicide bombing in eastern Kabul has wounded several civilians.
The blast comes two days before an international conference in Kabul hosting representatives from about 60 nations.
An eyewitness says a suicide bomber on foot targeted a passing NATO convoy. The international force says it is not aware of any international troops being involved in Sunday’s explosion.
Interior Ministry spokesman Zemeri Bashary says the suicide attacker was on a bicycle and detonated in a busy market area. He says the target of the attack is unclear.
University student Tamim Ahmad says he saw the attack. He says a man on foot ran up to a passing convoy of international troops and detonated an explosives-laden vest. He says the convoy did not stop. THIS IS A BREAKING NEWS UPDATE. Check back soon for further information. AP’s earlier story is below.