Afghan-US relations are under even further strain following a deadly shooting rampage in the southern province of Kandahar in the early hours of Sunday morning. After the news emerged, Afghan civilians gathered outside a nearby US base.

Officials say 16 civilians from nearby villages were killed in the rampage, and some nine were injured.

The dead included nine children, according to a statement from the Afghan president's office.

Some of the victims' bodies had apparently been burned. Nato and US officials have expressed profound sadness and regret. The soldier involved had reportedly suffered a nervous breakdown.

The US soldier blamed for the killings is reported to have walked off his base about 03:00 local time, heading for villages near his base, and to have gone from house to house shooting.