Karzai finds depression claims ‘rather funny’

Afghanistan's president Hamid Karzai said last night he finds stories that paint him as a manic depressive "rather funny".

During his appearance on Larry King's talk show he listed all of the prescription drugs he has ever taken in a bid to play down accusations made by the US ambassador in Afghanistan that he had received treatment for depression.

"The only medication that I have taken is an antibiotic called Augmentin - the strongest ones I have taken when I had a bad cold two years ago," said Karzai.

"And I from time to time take multivitamins and vitamin C and of course a popular medicine in the US, Tylenol is something I use from time to time when I have a headache or when I'm tired."

The depression claims were published in Obama's Wars, a new book by veteran US reporter Bob Woodward which details the animosity between the White House and the military over the withdrawal of troops from Afghanistan.

Larry King concluded the interview with the embarrassed question, "What do you make of the stories that you are delusional? I have to ask..."

A smiling Karzai said they were definitely not true and "rather funny". ·