Flights are expected to be reassumed soon in Afghan capital Kabul after a two-day suspension due to bad weather, a spokesman of NATO forces here told Xinhua Tuesday.

 

"Flights in Kabul are expected to restart this afternoon," Maj. Luke Knittig said.

 

All flights from Kabul International Airport have been banned since Sunday afternoon except those carrying pilgrims to Mecca, Saudi Arabia.

 

NATO troops have prohibited the flights for unknown reasons, said local Arman-e-Millie newspaper.

 

About 300 international flights have passed the airspace of Kabul daily, and each is charged 400 U.S. dollars by the Afghan government, said the newspaper, which blamed NATO troops have reduced the government's revenues by the ban.

 

"These reports are absolutely false," Knittig said, adding " It is bad weather that shut down the flights."

 

Since Saturday Kabul had been witnessing heavy snow, but the day has cleared up Tuesday.

 

(Xinhua News Agency December 5, 2006)