Germany wants review after Afghan civilian deaths

BRUSSELS, May 14 (Reuters) Germany called today for a review of the tactics used by Western forces in Afghanistan after a series of civilian casualties in recent weeks.

''We have to make sure in future that operations do not take place in this way. We don't want the local population against us,'' German Defence Minister Franz Josef Jung told reporters in Brussels, adding he had spoken to NATO Secretary-General Jaap de Hoop Scheffer on the matter.

Asked whether Western forces should re-examine their rules of engagement in the war against Taliban insurgents, he said: ''This is an important point, there should be discussions.'' The US-led coalition in Afghanistan confirmed last week there had been civilian casualties during fighting with Taliban guerrillas in southern Afghanistan, after witnesses said an air strike killed more than 40 villagers there earlier this month.

Even before the latest casualties, scores of civilians have been killed by Western forces in the last two weeks.

Afghan President Hamid Karzai has urged foreign troops to avoid such casualties while hunting militants, to stop searching people's houses, and to coordinate attacks with his government.

The NATO-led International Security Assistance Force has more than 30,000 troops in Afghanistan alongside a smaller US-led coalition.

REUTERS AB PM2010