KABUL, Aug 4: Afghanistan’s government is taking steps to end a Taliban-linked resistance that will ‘finally earn security’ for the country, President Hamid Karzai said on Friday, a day after a series of deadly attacks.

The president made the assurances in a specially called press conference at his palace after 21 civilians were killed in one of the country’s bloodiest suicide car attacks and four Canadian troops died in combat Thursday.

US-backed Karzai expressed sorrow at the deaths in southern Kandahar province and condemned the attackers as cowards.

He added that the government and its international allies had a plan to bring security.

“We have begun very broad actions ... You will see some actions that will finally earn security for Afghanistan,” he told reporters.

But Mr Karzai could not give a timeframe.

“When dear Afghanistan will be freed from terrorism, no one can know. But the war on terror will continue until we’ve defeated the terrorism,” he said.

President Karzai said he had consulted various community and religious leaders and his international partners on a strategy to defeat the insurgents, who have stepped up their attacks in a more organised campaign this year.

“The strategy (is) strengthening Afghanistan’s police, military ... strengthening the administration in all aspects,” he said.—AFP