InfoAnda - Afghanistan formally orders security firms to disband

Pakistanis angry over detentions in Times Sq. case
Monday, May 24, 2010
ISLAMABAD – Relatives of three men detained by Pakistan for alleged links to the suspect in the attempted Times Square bombing say the men are innocent.
They

Taiwan denies boycotting Australian film festival
Thursday, August 6, 2009

AFP - Thursday, August 6TAIPEI (AFP) - - Taiwan's Beijing-friendly government on Wednesday denied boycotting an Australian film festival amid a row over the e

Merkel's support dips, regional ally resigns International
Thursday, September 3, 2009

By Sarah Marsh and Noah Barkin

BERLIN (Reuters) - Chancellor Angela Merkel suffered a double blow on Thursday as a senior party ally in east German

Minister seeks closure of anti-Berlusconi websites
Wednesday, December 16, 2009
ROME (AFP) - – The Italian government moved Tuesday to close down Internet sites encouraging further violence against Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi, who

Asian markets mixed after Wall Street rally
Wednesday, March 18, 2009

By ELAINE KURTENBACH,AP Business Writer AP - Wednesday, March 18SHANGHAI - Asia's stock market rally seemed to be running out of steam Wednesday, despite an

Former Taliban spokesman captured in Afghanistan | 23 July 2010
Chris Brown Claims He "Ain't A Monster," Plugs Upcoming Album | 28 May 2009
Toyota sets up design quality division | 30 April 2010

iPhone 5 hits China as Apple market share slips | | 14 December 2012

Forum Views () Forum Replies ()

Read more with google mobile : Afghanistan formally orders security firms to disband

Yahoo! My Yahoo! Mail More Yahoo! Services Account Options New User? Sign Up Sign In Help Yahoo! Search web search Home Singapore Asia Pacific World Business Entertainment Sports Technology Australia China India Indonesia Japan Malaysia Philippines Thailand Vietnam Afghanistan formally orders security firms to disband AFP - 29 minutes ago Send IM Story Print Afghanistan formally orders security firms to disband KABUL (AFP) - – Afghan President Hamid Karzai Tuesday issued a decree ordering that all private security firms in the country should be disbanded within four months. "I approve the complete disbandment of private security companies, both national and international, within four months," Karzai's decree said. The decision aims "to better provide security for the lives and property of citizens, fight corruption, prevent irregularities and the misuse of arms, military uniforms and equipment by private security companies," the decree said. The plan has prompted concerns of a potential security crisis in the war-torn country, as there are few alternatives to private contractors. Up to 40,000 armed personnel are employed across Afghanistan by more than 50 companies, roughly half of which are Afghan, according to Afghan authorities. But Afghans criticise the private security forces as overbearing and abusive, particularly on the country's roads. Karzai has often complained that they duplicate the work of the Afghan security forces, and divert resources needed to train and equip the army and police. The president's office said Monday that the deadline for disbanding the companies was January 1, 2011. The decree ordered Afghan government institutions to buy international security firms' weapons and other equipment before cancelling their staff's visas. Unregistered firms would be "disbanded as illegal private security companies and their weapons and equipment should be confiscated," the decree said. Private firms provide security to the international forces, the Pentagon, the UN mission, aid and non-governmental organisations, embassies and Western media companies. One of their main jobs is to escort supply convoys for US and NATO troops on some of Afghanistan's most dangerous roads, mostly in the southern and eastern parts of the country, where an insurgency is concentrated. Karzai's decree said Afghan police and army should take on these jobs, which are vital to the military effort against the Taliban-led rebels but which are regarded as among the most perilous as they attract regular attacks. It also said that security outside the perimeters of embassies and other international organisations would be provided by Afghan security forces falling under the control of the interior ministry. "The interior ministry is obliged to provide the outer security of the embassies and other international organisations... and provide security for all logistical supplies for the international military forces from the capital to the provinces and further on to the districts," the decree said. It said international organisations and embassies would still be able to have their own security guards as long as they did not have a presence outside the "compounds". Employees of the disbanded firms could join the Afghan police force if they were eligible, the decree said. Afghanistan is rebuilding its national security forces, which include a police force of 140,000. The country this week reached a recruitment goal of 134,000 in the army, two months ahead of schedule, the defence ministry said. The army is set to grow to more than 170,000 by late 2011. The tight timetable for the security firms to disband has caused some consternation among the international community, though there is widespread support for the plan to rid the country of what many see as private militias. The main concern is the perceived inability of the Afghan security forces to step into the breach, as many are regarded as incompetent or corrupt. Nevertheless, the move had been welcomed by the commander of international forces in Afghanistan, US General David Petraeus, and John Kerry, chairman of the Senate foreign relations committee, Karzai's office said. During a meeting earlier Tuesday, Karzai "briefed the American delegation on the Afghan government's decision to disband private security companies and said the dissolution of the firms was a public demand," a statement said. "The delegation welcomed the move," it said, adding: "Senator John Kerry hailed the decision as the right step and assured his country's support." Kerry was on a brief visit to Afghanistan, during which he was expected to dine with Karzai and visit US troops before travelling to Pakistan. The US State Department earlier described the four-month deadline as "challenging." Recommend Send IM Story Print Related Articles Taiwan parliament passes historic China trade pact AFP - 1 hour 5 minutes ago U.N. battles donor fatigue for funds for Pakistan Reuters - 1 hour 16 minutes ago Taiwan parliament approves China trade pact AFP - 1 hour 25 minutes ago S.Korean president defends unification tax AFP - Wednesday, August 18 Pakistan wins more flood aid AFP - Wednesday, August 18 News Search Top Stories German investment sentiment slumps Canada's Potash rejects $38 bln offer from BHP British inflation eases to 3.1% Jazz photographer Herman Leonard dead at 87 Court blocks California gay marriage More Top Stories » ADVERTISEMENT Most Popular Most Viewed Most Recommended Tearful German pop star confesses in HIV trial Eight killed, 12 injured in California desert race Court blocks California gay marriage Zsa Zsa Gabor calls in priest for final rites Hurricane formation linked to sea color: study More Most Viewed » Obama endorses mosque plan near Ground Zero 40 US billionaires pledge half wealth to charity Visitors attack Taiwan 'haunted house' actors Calcium supplements linked to heart attacks: study Massive ice island breaks off Greenland glacier More Most Recommended » Elsewhere on Yahoo! Financial news on Yahoo! Finance Stars and latest movies Best travel destinations More on Yahoo! News Home Singapore Asia Pacific World Business Entertainment Sports Technology Subscribe to our news feeds Top StoriesMy Yahoo!RSS » More news feeds | What are news feeds? Also on Yahoo! Answers Groups Mail Messenger Mobile Travel Finance Movies Sports Games » All Yahoo! Services Site Highlights Singapore Full Coverage Most Popular Asia Entertainment Photos World Cup 2010 Copyright © 2010 Yahoo! Southeast Asia Pte Ltd. (Co. Reg. No. 199700735D). All Rights Reserved. Privacy Policy - Terms of Service - Community - Intellectual Property Rights Policy - Help

Other News on Tuesday, 17 August 2010
Iraq's main parties break off coalition talks
Russia expels Romanian diplomat for spying
US-TECH Summary
Rivals stop coalition talks in Iraq in sectarian row
Qaeda's north Africa wing calls for revenge against France
Russia's Medvedev asks tycoons for wildfire help |
Russia says beating fires as weather switches
Intel to buy TI's cable modem unit
Eye on Afghanistan, Gates hopes to quit in 2011
Former Israeli soldier slammed for Facebook photos |
Iraq parties break off coalition talks: spokeswoman
Drug hitmen kidnap Mexican mayor near U.S. border |
Embattled French minister hit by new finance claim
Spanish judge probes complaint over Google's Street View
Al-Qaeda 'group leader' killed in Afghanistan: NATO
Netanyahu hopes for direct peace talks in near future |
WTO rules against EU on hi-tech duties
U.S. citizen Berenson says sorry for Peru terrorism |
Iran says to push ahead with new enrichment plants
Afghan private security firms given 4-month deadline
U.S. hails big win in technology trade case against EU
U.S. Defense chief Gates says wants to leave in 2011
Autopsy set for U.S. man accused of Craigslist murder
Fresh face Rooney Mara lands lead in "Dragon Tattoo"
BlackBerry to give India partial access: source |
Obama and Hollywood: State of their Union
China US debt holdings lowest level in a year: Treasury
Vedanta fuels expansion with Cairn India stake
India inflation slows to single digits
Pakistani July foreign investment falls 18.5 pct
Doctors discover tumor in Michael Douglas' throat |
China overshadows Japan economy as growth slows
Fresh face Rooney Mara lands lead in Dragon Tattoo |
Edie Falco won't rule out Sopranos movie |
Pakistani stocks end 2.9 pct lower on flood worries
Obama and Hollywood: State of their Union |
Indonesian president aims for economy to be 'uncaged'
Kirin's net profit halved in first-half, cuts forecast
Samsung sets up fund to help S.Korean contractors
Eye on Afghanistan, Gates hopes to quit in 2011
British airports strike averted
World Bank pledges $900 million in flood aid to Pakistan |
S.Korea Cresyn: paid no improper fees to Apple manager
China strikes a worry but no strategy change yet: execs |
Iran sets timetable for third uranium plant
Court blocks California gay marriage
Mexico approves controversial Televisa mobile bid
Suspect ship seen before Japan tanker blast: report |
Rivals stop coalition talks in Iraq in sectarian row
Darfur expels five aid workers
Asia suppliers respond to Apple kickback charges
Suicide bomber targets Iraqi army recruits, kills 39 |
Israel rejects 'preconditions' for direct peace talks
Only one dies in Colombia airliner crash miracle |
Four Democrats urge U.S. to act on Internet traffic
Facebook scammers spreading fake 'Dislike' button
U.S. prosecutors ask 6 months prison for ex-IBM exec
WTO raps EU tariffs on technology goods
Facebook a growing stage for video viewing
Mudslides kill at least 15 in Sichuan
World Bank pledges £574 million in flood aid to Pakistan
Analysis: Petraeus media blitz seeks to calm fears
China launches global search for six panda keepers
Dell in billion-dollar deal to buy 3Par data storage firm
Missing haunt flood-hit Indian region
JetBlue Guy: Hollywood's most wanted
India gives mobile operator deadline on BlackBerry |
Asian firms probe Apple kickback claims |
Original "Dragon Tattoo" girl lands in Hollywood
Pentagon warning over China military build-up
Four Democrats urge U.S. to act on Internet traffic |
Zsa Zsa Gabor refuses operation and goes home
AOL to launch 500 more local sites this year |
Granny tweets as Oz voters embrace social media
Axl Rose's Twitter page hacked |
Rooney Mara scores lead in adaptations of Larsson trilogy
Indonesia cuts Australia drug traffickers' sentences
China fireworks factory blast toll up to 19
U.S. prosecutors ask 6 months prison for ex-IBM exec |
N.Korea flew drone over sensitive border: S.Korea
Australia's 'Ramadan lounge' Muslim tourist plans
US-ENTERTAINMENT Summary
JetBlue Guy: Hollywood's most wanted
Dolph Lundgren flexes box office muscle
Axl Rose's Twitter page hacked
Original "Dragon Tattoo" girl lands in Hollywood
World No. 2 economy 'still developing', says China
Seoul shares edge up 0.7 pct; Doosan E&C jumps
Zsa Zsa Gabor refuses operation and goes home
Katy Perry's "California Gurls" on safe ground
Protest at Taiwan's main oil refinery
How Rooney Mara became Girl With Dragon Tattoo |
Pakistan c.bank buys 11.50 bln rupees of govt paper
"Trust" tries to whip you into submission
JetBlue Guy: Hollywood's most wanted |
Rush concert a workout for air drummers
S.Korea spotted buying dlrs to check won-dealers
Dolph Lundgren flexes box office muscle |
China says foreign direct investment up 20 percent
Fresh face Rooney Mara lands lead in Dragon Tattoo |
PAKISTAN
Wall Street lukewarm to Hulu IPO plans |
PREVIEW-Taiwan Q2 GDP growth seen slowing to 10.1 pct
Memorable homecoming for Aerosmith, J. Geils Band |
South Korea, Bolivia to sign lithium deal
Katy Perry's California Gurls on safe ground |
Axl Rose's Twitter page hacked |
Seoul shares edge up 0.7 pct; Doosan E&C jumps
New victim in India-Pakistan 'cyberwar'
AOL to launch 500 more local sites this year
Afghanistan formally orders security firms to disband
Afghanistan orders ban on private security firms |
Jazz photographer Herman Leonard dead at 87
Iran says won't send condemned woman to Brazil
Suicide blast kills 59 at Iraq army recruitment centre
Israeli in Facebook storm defends prisoner photos |
Bombs kill eight civilians in Afghanistan
Bomber kills 57 Iraq army recruits; judges targeted
Israeli in Facebook storm defends prisoner photos
Microsoft's Kinect to hit EMEA stores Nov 10
Hezbollah gives Hariri evidence to Lebanon judiciary |
Gaza's once vibrant tunnel trade caves in |
Two Israeli soldiers wounded in attack from Gaza
Ex-Israeli soldier mystified over Facebook uproar
Suicide bomb and cafe blast claim lives in Caucasus |
Iran tells West to stay out of woman's stoning case
Heat probably killed thousands in Moscow: scientist |
Taiwan parliament passes historic China trade pact
10 killed in Afghan bomb attacks
Smoking in China 'as serious as SARS': WHO
Australian PM backs republic after queen's death
Israel has '8 days' to hit Iran nuclear site: Bolton
Japanese tango champs bid for new success
Canada probes who paid for Tamil refugees' travel
Coup, illness all part of writer Frederick Forsyth's research
Global minimum and maximum temperatures
UAE, Blackberry may soon resolve spat: diplomats |
Sri Lanka vets go on strike over elephants
Pakistan wins more flood aid
Japanese tango duo look to hold on to world crown
How Rooney Mara became "Girl With Dragon Tattoo"
Wedbush initiates Google with underperform |
S.Korean president defends unification tax
U.S. neighborhood bookstores thrive in digital age |
More heavy rains in western China kill 51
Microsoft's Kinect to hit EMEA stores Nov 10 |
Pakistan July c/a deficit narrows to $635 mln
China's telcos gear up on 3G in growth push |
China to let foreign banks into interbank bond market
Pakistani stocks up; rupee firms; o/n rates down
Asian markets mixed as recovery fears persist
Weak Japan must harness China's rise, say analysts
China Unicom to launch Apple iPhone 4 next month
Taiwan parliament debates China trade pact
Doctors discover tumor in Michael Douglas' throat |
Ailing Zsa Zsa Gabor to spend final days at home |
Coup, illness all part of writer Frederick Forsyth's research |
Was James Bond just a neo-fascist gangster? |
Greece at new risk of being pushed off euro
Bodies of missing Tenn. mom, Jo Ann Bain, and daughter found
Female Breasts Are Bigger Than Ever
AMD Trinity Accelerated Processing Units Now in Volume Production
The Avengers (2012 film), made the second biggest opening- and single-day gross of all-time
AMD to Start Production of piledriver
Ivy Bridge Quad-Core, Four-Thread Desktop CPUs
Islamists Protest Lady Gaga's Concert in Indonesia
Japan Successfully Broadcasts an 8K Signal Over the Air
ECB boosts loans to 1 trillion Euro to stop credit crunch
Egypt : Mohammed Morsi won with 52 percent
What do you call 100,000 Frenchmen with their hands up
AMD Launches AMD Embedded R-Series APU Platform
Fed Should not Ignore Emerging Market Crisis
Fed casts shadow over India, emerging markets
Why are Chinese tourists so rude? A few insights

USD EUR - 1 year graph		BlogMeter 1.01