BBC News Online: World: South Asia

Aid agency condemns cluster bombs

The agency warns that cluster bombs cause many 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

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.