KABUL : A huge blast was heard in the Afghan capital Saturday as a US military official arrived for meetings to explain the sacking of the US commander of foreign forces in the country, witnesses told AFP.

The blast took place in the centre of the city, at 9.55 am (0525 GMT), the witnesses said.

A spokesman for the interior ministry, Zemarai Bashery, said he had heard the blast, the cause of which was being investigated.

It seemed to have taken place near the foreign ministry, he said.

The blast happened as US Admiral Mike Mullen, chairman of the US Joint Chiefs of Staff, arrived in Kabul late Friday on a mission to reassure Afghan leaders following the sacking of the top commander in Kabul.

Mullen was set to meet Afghan President Hamid Karzai, the presidential office confirmed, after US General Stanley McChrystal was sacked for insubordination.
During his one-day visit, Mullen was also set to meet US and NATO officials, the US embassy said.

The blast, if confirmed as a bombing by Taliban-linked insurgents, would be the first attack in the capital since a peace conference held on June 2.
 
BDST : 1210 HRS , June 26, 2010
SIS