An attack by a Taliban suicide bomber on a Nato convoy has wounded eight civilians in the Afghan capital.

The bomber rammed the convoy in Kabul on Tuesday, with the Taliban describing the attack as a welcome for Robert Gates, the US defence secretary, who is visiting the country.

The blast failed to injure any of the targeted Nato troops, who were travelling to the airport. A government bus was hit.

"There were eight civilians wounded. They are on their way to Kabul hospital," Sergeant Deitir Baumann of the International Security Assistance Force (Isaf) said.

Gates was not hurt in the attack and it is yet to be confirmed whether or not he was in the convoy.

PHOTO CAPTION

Afghan investigators looks at the wreckage of a car used for a suicide attack in Kabul December 4, 2007. [Reuters]

Al-Jazeera