Rockets rattle Kabul convention

Kabul is saturated with security forces this week

Two rockets have exploded harmlessly in the Afghan capital Kabul where 500 delegates are meeting to debate and ratify the new constitution.

One hit a house by the international airport early on Tuesday, while the other fell in the city centre 40 minutes later, local police said.

A police chief blamed Taleban militants for the attacks but a BBC correspondent says it is hard to be sure.

Security is tight for the meeting on the constitution which began on Sunday.

Troops from the international peacekeeping force (Isaf) are out in force while soldiers from the Afghan national army guard all of the main thoroughfares.

The loya jirga is forging Afghanistan's political future

There have been fears that the Taleban, ousted in a US-led war in 2001, will try to disrupt the work of the loya jirga, or grand council.

A man who said he was a Taleban spokesman phoned the French news agency AFP to claim responsibility.

"We warn of more attacks on Kabul city today and tonight," the caller said.

"The main target is the loya jirga, but if that's not possible, anywhere in Kabul."

The BBC's Crispin Thorold in Kabul notes that police in the city also believe the Taleban were behind the attack but, he adds, in a country awash with weapons it is hard to be sure who is responsible for such attacks.

No-one was arrested in their immediate aftermath.