KABUL: Afghanistan Monday scrapped plans to ban private security firms following Western diplomatic and military concerns over the move, instead ushering in new restrictions to limit their work. All 52 remaining licensed companies will continue to provide security to US-led troops, the Pentagon, the UN mission, aid groups, embassies and Western media companies in Afghanistan. But the government announced tight rules on the firms' operations after accusations that private security guards have been involved in the killing of civilians, laying bombs, and acting as bandits on the country's insecure roads. “Their future operations will continue in accordance with the law and regulations in place,” Interior Ministry adviser Abdul Manan Farahi said. In August, Afghan President Hamid Karzai ordered the dissolution of all private security firms by the end of the year, causing fears that the move could endanger vital aid projects and the transport of military supplies. On Saturday, during a press conference held with Pakistan's prime minister, Karzai said companies were involved in “killing, murdering our people, blowing up bombs and insecuring our highways”. He has also said the firms run an “economic mafia” based around “corruption contracts” favored by the international community.But he first rowed back from a complete ban in October under intense pressure from his Western backers, extending the deadline for dissolution and allowing firms protecting embassies and military bases to continue their work. Monday's announcement means that authorized firms can carry on working indefinitely, but under tighter rules. Private security contractors must move their headquarters out of Kabul's de facto diplomatic enclave towards the city outskirts, all guards must wear uniforms and they cannot carry weapons in residential areas when off duty. They are not allowed to stop vehicles, search houses or block roads for security reasons, said Farahi. – Agency France
