KABUL, Afghanistan ? An aide says the suicide bomber who killed former Afghan President Burhanuddin Rabbani as he was trying to broker peace with the Taliban had waited in Kabul for days, insisting on meeting face-to-face with the ex-president.
Mohammad Ismail Qasemyar, the international relations adviser for Rabbani's peace council, said on Wednesday that the bomber had approached several council officials, telling them that he was an important figure in the Taliban insurgency and would only speak directly with Rabbani.
Qasemyar says the bomber stayed at a house used for council guests, waiting for Rabbani to return from a trip to Iran.
When the two finally met, Qasemyar says the bomber bowed his head near Rabbani's chest and detonated explosives hidden in his turban.
THIS IS A BREAKING NEWS UPDATE. Check back soon for further information. AP's earlier story is below.
KABUL, Afghanistan (AP) ? The assassination of former Afghan President Burhanuddin Rabbani in Kabul is dashing hopes for peace and raises fears of deteriorating security in Afghanistan just as foreign troops are starting to pull out.
Dozens of people gathered Wednesday at the Kabul home of Rabbani to pay their respects. The former president headed the government's peace council seeking reconciliation with insurgents to end the war.
He was killed Tuesday night by a suicide bomber posing as a Taliban peace envoy. NATO says another attacker also was involved.
No one has claimed responsibility for the killing, but many among the mourners blame the Haqqani network, a militant group based in Pakistan and affiliated with the Taliban and al-Qaida.
Pakistani officials have condemned the killing.
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