Karzai Condemns U.S. 'Desecration' of Insurgent Bodies

Afghan President Hamid Karzai Thursday strongly condemned a video appearing to show U.S. soldiers "desecrating" the corpses of slain insurgents by urinating on them.

"The government of Afghanistan is deeply disturbed by a video that shows American soldiers desecrating dead bodies of three Afghans," said a statement from the president's office.

"This act by American soldiers is simply inhuman and condemnable in the strongest possible terms.

"We expressly ask the U.S. government to urgently investigate the video and apply the most severe punishment to anyone found guilty in this crime."

The U.S. military said it was investigating the "disgusting" footage of what appears to be four servicemen dressed in United States military uniform relieving themselves onto three bodies.

If authentic, the images -- which conjure up previous abuses committed by U.S. troops during the decade-long war -- could spark deep anger and resentment in Afghanistan and the wider Muslim world.

Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahed told Agence France Presse that the video would not affect peace talks.

"I don't think this new issue will affect negotiations which at this stage are mainly about prisoner exchange," he said.