Washington: The United States enounced it would carry on a methodical investigation with Britain into the situation under which three British NATO military personnel were killed in a friendly fire event in Afghanistan.

Kurt Volker, the principal deputy assistant secretary of state for European and Eurasian Affairs said, “The United States is deeply saddened by the death of three British soldiers in Afghanistan and the wounding of two others in a friendly fire incident involving ordinance dropped by a US aircraft.”

Transport Minister Noel Dempsey must come up to prevent the death warrant for the Shannon/Heathrow service being signed by Aer Lingus, said Fine Gael.

The call came as anger grew, with Aer Lingus being accused of turning its back on Shannon and of reneging on a commitment it only recently gave to unions in relation to maintain its schedule at airport.

British cabinet minister said a nation’s strength d