Officials cited by the Times pointed out that Sunday's NATO move to "restrict" air strikes in residential areas did not go as far as Karzai had indicated, and warned that Western forces would continue to go after militants who hide in civilian homes -- implying they will use air power as a last resort.

One source told the newspaper that "air-delivered munitions will not be employed while other means are available."

Ground forces will still be deployed, to maintain operations against Taliban fighters who frequently use residential properties to hide.

Before his meeting with Karzai, Allen had flown to Logar province, south of Kabul, to apologize over the deaths of civilians in an air strike on a home early Wednesday.

ISAF said multiple insurgents were killed in the strike, which was ordered after troops came under fire during an operation against a Taliban insurgent leader, but Karzai expressed outrage and cut short a visit to Beijing.