WORLD BRIEFING / AFGHANISTAN

America’s new ambassador sat cross-legged in a mosque in western Afghanistan and told a memorial service for the victims of a recent clash between U.S. troops and the Taliban that the U.S. would work to avoid civilian casualties.

The Afghan government says 140 civilians died in the May 4 battle in Farah province’s Bala Baluk district. The U.S. disputes that toll.

Appearing with President Hamid Karzai, Ambassador Karl Eikenberry, a former U.S. military officer who served twice in Afghanistan, invoked his military honor to assure the gathering that he meant what he said.

“I assure the people of Afghanistan that the United States will work tirelessly with your government, army and police to find ways to reduce the price paid by civilians and avoid tragedies like what occurred in Bala Baluk,” Eikenberry said, according to a transcript provided by the U.S. Embassy.