Aid agency condemns cluster bombs

The agency warns that cluster bombs cause many civilian casualties

The human rights organisation Human Rights Watch has called on the United States to halt the use of cluster bombs, fearing further civilian casualties.

In a statement issued on Wednesday the organisation called for a moratorium on the use of the controversial weapons, which it says creates "unacceptable civilian casualties before and after conflict".

It also claimed that cluster bombs - which contain more than 200 smaller "bomblets" designed to explode over a larger area than conventional bombs or missiles - were not as accurate as has been claimed by the US military.

"Cluster bombs have a wide dispersal pattern and cannot be targeted precisely, making them especially dangerous when used near civilian areas," it said.

The US first began using cluster bombs in strikes on Afghanistan last week, but did not officially confirm their use until several days later.

Civilian casualties

Aid agencies say that cluster bombs do not always hit their military targets

The US Government has faced criticism from several aid agencies regarding their use, including several mine clearing agencies.

The UN also criticised their use after several cluster bombs landed on the village of Shaker Qala, near the city of Herat in western Afghanistan, killing nine civilians and injuring 14.

Human Rights Watch also pointed to other recent uses of the bombs in Kosovo and the Gulf War, claiming that an initial failure-to-explode rate of up to 7% percent can be expected.