Bomb blast hits UN Kabul compound

The blast followed several rocket attacks on Kabul over the past week

A bomb explosion has destroyed the wall of a United Nations compound in the Afghan capital, Kabul.

There were no casualties in the blast, which happened at about 0500 local time (0300 GMT) close to the presidential palace, Afghan police said.

"It was a bomb. This is the work of the enemies of Afghanistan," Kabul police chief Baba Jan told the AP news agency.

The blast followed several rocket attacks on Kabul over the past week, which were blamed on Taleban militants.

Police have launched an investigation.

The blast happened in a residential area, several kilometres from the Kabul university building, where the Afghan grand assembly, or loya jirga, continues to debate the new constitution.

It was the third blast in the capital since the meeting began 10 days ago, and the authorities say Taleban insurgents might be trying to disrupt the assembly.

The loya jirga is expected to ratify the constitution, paving the way to national elections next year.

A spokesman for the International Security Assistance Force (Isaf) said it was also investigating the blast, which happened less than a kilometre from the force's headquarters.