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18:16 GMT, Saturday, 25 October 2008 19:16 UK

Shot Gayle 'would forgive killer'

The sister of a British woman murdered in Afghanistan has said the charity worker would have forgiven her killers.

The Taleban said they shot Gayle Williams, 34, because she was spreading Christianity through her work for UK-based Serve Afghanistan.

Her sister Karen said her family forgave the killers and Gayle would have told them not to hold a grudge.

Separately, another Briton was shot dead outside an office of couriers DHL in the Afghan capital, Kabul.

David Giles worked for DHL. A second foreigner, believed to be South African, was also among the dead.

Safety concerns

Ms Williams, who had both British and South African nationality, was described by her sister as a woman who was "passionate" about helping Afghanistan's people.

"Gayle was a much loved sister... who gave her life serving the Afghan people she loved," she said.

Karen added that she and her family forgave her sister's killers "as Gayle would have done".

"Gayle was working to help little children with disabilities - some blind, some deaf, some with no limbs - including victims of the many landmines from the many wars in Afghanistan," she said.

"If Gayle could talk to us now her view would not have changed. Her faith in the Afghan people would remain the same."

Serve Afghanistan suspended its operations in the country following the killing last week. Other aid agencies have said they are reviewing their security.

The latest attacks will raise serious safety concerns, especially among foreigners, the BBC's Martin Patience, in Kabul, says.

The Foreign Office has updated advice for Britons in Afghanistan and travellers to the country, following Ms Williams' death.

It said Afghanistan had a high threat of terrorism and no part should be "considered immune from violence".




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Related to this story:
Three shot dead in Afghan capital (25 Oct 08 |  South Asia )
Charity shuts office after murder (21 Oct 08 |  UK )
Afghan aid workers undeterred (21 Oct 08 |  South Asia )
Mother's tribute to killed Briton (21 Oct 08 |  UK )
UK charity worker killed in Kabul (20 Oct 08 |  South Asia )


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