Taliban claim attack on base in south Afghanistan

KABUL, Afghanistan (AP) - The Taliban claimed responsibility on Saturday for an attack against a sprawling British base in southern Afghanistan that killed two United States (US) Marines and wounded several other troops, saying it was to avenge an anti-Islamic film which insulted the Prophet Muhammad and also because Britain's Prince Harry is serving there.

The US-led Nato coalition said in a statement that the overnight attack focused on Camp Bastion, a huge British base adjacent to Camp Leatherneck which houses US Marine operations in southern Helmand province.

"We attacked that base because Prince Harry was also on it and so they can know our anger," Taliban spokesman Qari Youssef Ahmadi said by telephone. He added, "Thousands more suicide attackers are ready to give up their lives for the sake of the Prophet."

Prince Harry, third in line to the British throne, is based at Camp Bastion. A spokesperson for Britain's Ministry of Defense told The Associated Press that he was unharmed in the attack, which according to Britain's Press Association took place 2km from the section of the complex where the prince was located. The official spoke on condition of anonymity in line with government policy.