The New Nation - Internet Edition

AFP, Kabul

Afghan President Hamid Karzai cut short a speech to thousands of people in Kabul on Sunday after what one official said was a commotion outside the venue caused by thousands of people trying to enter.

Karzai, who has survived two assassination atempts, abruptly wrapped up the address after a bodyguard spoke to him, and ended the ceremony at the city's main stadium in honour of Soviet-era resistance commander Ahmad Shah Massoud.

"Dear brothers and sisters, with respect to everybody, we are finishing our ceremony here," the president said and left the stage, followed by other dignitaries.

An AFP journalist said noises from outside the stadium sounded like gunshots, but witnesses said they were caused by people throwing stones at a metal gate because they wanted to enter.

Defence ministry spokesman Zahir Azimi told AFP "thousands" of people had been pushing the gates and throwing stones, demanding to be let into the venue.

The event was to commemorate the sixth anniversary of the killing of Massoud, who was assassinated by Al-Qaeda operatives on September 9, 2001 in what was Afghanistan's first suicide bombing.