Karzai stays determined on private security ban

Afghan President Hamid Karzai said Sunday that his government stands by its commitment to dissolve private security firms operating in the war-torn country, after Washington called for an interim solution.

"The government of Afghanistan is firm on its decision to dissolve these companies and wants the practical and genuine cooperation of the international community in implementing it," Karzai said at a meeting in Kabul with senior Western offi-cials, including the head of US and NATO forces in Afghanistan, General David Petraeus.

The president's words came a day after US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said the two governments should develop a joint plan to replace private security guards gradually rather than enforce a ban that could threaten millions of dollars in aid work.

"Clinton pledged to work cooperatively to support a smooth transition to full Afghan security responsibility," US State Department spokesman Philip J. Crowley quoted Clinton as saying.

US media reports have said the proposed security guard ban could create security holes and imperil about $1.5 billion in reconstruction work, including projects key to NATO's counterinsurgency strategy in the Afghan war.

Regarding such concerns, Karzai suggested that those big international development projects "present a list of their projects and security needs to the Afghan government so it can review these and make a decision."

While providing vital services in the war-torn country, the private security firms have become a point of friction, as some have been involved in high-profile shootings and other incidents.

Agencies