UN says Buddha statue remains safe after explosion nearby

A controlled explosion of old ordnance found near remains of the famed Bamiyan Buddha statues has not caused further damage to the 1,500-year old ruins, the United Nations said Saturday.

The blast carried out Thursday by NATO-led troops near the smaller of two towering Buddha statues _ destroyed by the Taliban seven years ago _ had prompted an angry reaction from a provincial official who said it threatened Afghanistan's heritage.

Najibullah Harar, chief of information and culture for Bamiyan, claimed the explosion had caused cracks in what is left of the 34.5-meter (113-foot) -high ancient structure.

But Brendan J. Cassar, chief of UNESCO's …