KABUL
President Hamid Karzai Sunday stood by his pledge to dissolve private security firms in Afghanistan after Washington called for a solution to allow them to continue for a transition period.
“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 with senior Western officials in Kabul.
Karzai has ordered private security firms out of Afghanistan by the end of the year, believing they are not under sufficient government control and are often disrespectful towards Afghans.
But last week he said security firms protecting embassies and military bases could maintain those operations.
On Friday Washington said it hoped development projects in Afghanistan would not be forced to shut down because of safety fears.
