Ex-Afghanistan president Burhanuddin Rabbani killed by 'turban bomb'

Burhanuddin Rabbani died when he hugged his assassin, who triggered the bomb, officials said.

The slaying threatened to destroy fragile hopes of ending the Afghan war with a negotiated settlement.

President Obama, who had a previously scheduled meeting with Afghan President Hamid Karzai at the Waldorf Hotel soon after the news broke vowed the "senseless act of violence" would not derail plans to end the war.

"We both believe that despite this incident that we will not be deterred from creating a path whereby Afghans can live in freedom, safety, security and prosperity," Obama said.

Karzai, who was in town to address the United Nations, cut his trip short and was heading home to deal with the fallout from the assassination.