Afghanistan celebrates independence day

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KABUL, Aug 19 (AP): Afghanistan celebrated its independence from British rule Sunday with a military parade and colorful display of national dresses on the grounds of a stadium once used by the Taliban for public executions.
Taliban leader Mullah Omar, meanwhile, called on the people to join militants in their attempts to oust government of President Hamid Karzai and its foreign backers.
Karzai told thousands gathered at Kabul city stadium that Afghanistan is once again threatened by a resurgent Taliban-led insurgency, and urged the people to focus on education.
The holiday marks Afghanistan's liberation from Britain in 1919, following the third Anglo-Afghan war. "Again our land is under attack from our enemies," Karzai said, in reference to the Taliban-led insurgency.
"They want to stop the development of Afghanistan."
Karzai delivered his independence day address in a stadium that once hosted public executions during the Taliban's rule, which ended with the invasion by US-led forces in late 2001. On Sunday, it enjoyed a more colorful atmosphere, with a parade of Afghanistan's military forces and a display of the country's many national dresses.