Afghanistan President Karzai hears Marjah complaints

Mr Karzai promised better security and faster reconstruction

Afghanistan President Hamid Karzai has visited the former Taliban stronghold of Marjah for the first time since it was retaken in a major offensive.

He promised elders that the town would be rebuilt after fierce fighting, and appealed to local people for support.

They voiced their backing, but also regaled him with a list of complaints including corruption, looting, arrests and searches by Nato troops.

Marjah was recaptured during Operation Moshtarak by Afghan and Nato troops.

Mr Karzai was joined in the town by the top US commander in Afghanistan.

Gen Stanley McChrystal, who leads about 121,000 US and Nato troops in Afghanistan, sat on the floor while Mr Karzai addressed the elders. The general listened through an interpreter but did not speak.