Violent protests continue in Afghanistan over a report published in 'Newsweek' magazine that American interrogators at Guantanamo Bay prison flushed a copy of the Quran down the toilet as part of questioning prisoners there. Seven more people were killed and at least 20 more were reported injured.

The biggest clash took place in Ghazni province, southwest of Kabul where clashes resulted in the deaths of four policeman and national army soldiers.

Three protesters were killed in Badakhshan province during a protest there according to a published report by Reuters.

The violence broke out on Wednesday when at least four people were killed and 70 injured when clashes broke out between security forces and anti-American protesters.

Thursday, at least three more people were killed in clashes with police in Jalalabad.

The U.S. Army is investigating the allegations that a Quran was defaced and flushed down the toilet as reported in 'Newsweek.' Thus far, General Richard Myers indicated that there is no evidence that the alleged incident actually took place.

'They have looked through the logs, interrogation logs, and they cannot confirm yet that there was ever the case of the toilet incident,' Myers said.

Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice spoke before a Senate subcommittee Thursday and reiterated that the United States government would not support the desecration of Islam's holy book.

'Disrespect for the Holy Quran is not now, nor has it ever been, nor will it ever be, tolerated by the United States. We honor the sacred books of all the world's great religions. Disrespect for the Holy Quran is abhorrent to us all. ...

'Our military authorities are investigating these allegations fully. If they are proven true, we will take appropriate action. ... Guaranteeing religious rights is of great personal importance to the president and to me.'

The alleged incident has undermined American efforts to establish long term bases in Afghanistan and to gain the continued support of the government of Pakistan in the war on terror.
Opposition among the people of these countries will make support of the United States increasingly difficult.