The issue of civilian casualties has dogged United States-led coalition forces from the beginning of their intervention here in 2001.

Afghanistan and Iraq were both invaded by United States-led forces, which overthrew outlaw regimes.

"We're looking to the United States-led forces for that support," he said.

Several hundred are now being held as human shields at key military installations and other possible targets to dissuade United States-led forces from attacking.

Some are detained at strategic sites as shields against attack by United States-led forces in the gulf.

The cases from Iraq date back to April 2003, as Baghdad was falling to United States-led forces, and extend to last month.

The seven month-long Iraqi occupation came to an end after direct military intervention by United States-led forces.

Afghan and foreign officials and local villagers blame a lack of United States-led forces on the ground for the Taliban resurgence.

The Canadian unit is part of the United States-led coalition force in southern Afghanistan.

All three had been held at strategic sites as "human shields" to deter attack by United States-led multinational forces stationed in the gulf.