Four Killed As U.N. Buildings Attacked Over Afghan Governor's Sacking

HERAT, Afghanistan, Sept 12 (AFP) - Four people were killed on Sunday as demonstrators attacked United Nations buildings in this western Afghan city in protest at the sacking of governor Ismael Khan, UN and police officials said.
Curfew was imposed late Sunday after hundreds of demonstrators attacked United Nations buildings in the city and clashed with US and Afghan forces earlier in the day after the long-term provincial governor's sacking a day earlier.
"We have around 50 people wounded and four people killed," said Mohammed Shoib, a doctor at Herat's main hospital.
Another doctor in the hospital's emergency ward said most of the wounds were from gunshots and shrapnel, while a spokeswoman for the US-led military coalition said three of its soldiers and an Afghan soldier were hurt.
"Protesters set two fires and ransacked five UN and non-governmental organization buildings," the US statement said, adding, "coalition forces have not used force in Herat."
By late evening, regular Afghan army troops controlled the streets of Herat.
Moshtaq Ahmed, a taxi driver who witnessed the violence, said the US-led coalition and Afghan forces fired on the protesters after they were attacked with stones.
"The ANA (Afghan National Army) and Americans fired into the air and some into the crowd," he said.
Khan, the long-term governor of Herat, was on Saturday dismissed by President Hamid Karzai who named him as a minister in the central government instead.
The popular Khan, who controls an unknown number of soldiers, has refused to take up the post but Karzai, who is hoping to win in landmark elections set for October 9, urged him to reconsider.
"Our expectation from our brother Ismail Khan is to serve his nation ... we expect him to come to Kabul and serve his country nationally," Karzai told reporters in Kabul, condemning the violent demonstrations.
Khan himself appealed to his supporters to stay calm.
"I hope with patience, tolerance and a single aim you ensure security, peace and stability of your country and be tolerant," said Khan in his statement.
"Reshuffling and changes in a government are a normal thing," said Khan.
About 1,000 protestors gathered at the UN compound on Sunday, setting fire to the door of the building of the UN High Commissioner for Refugees and the UN Assistance Mission in Afghanistan, Herat police chief Ziauddin Mahmoodi told AFP by telephone.
An AFP correspondent at the site said there were only 200 or 300 protestors but that they had succeeded in entering and ransacking the UN Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) building, the outside of which was burned.
A spokesman for UNAMA, Manoel de Almeida e Silva, said staff had taken refuge in a bunker.
The UN spokesman said he had no information on the building being burned.
On Saturday night hundreds of protesters filled the streets to protest against the sacking, chanting "death to Karzai and the Americans."
Herat province saw fighting August 14 to 17 between militias faithful to Amanullah Khan, a warlord who opposes Ismael Khan, and troops belonging to the governor.
About 1,000 soldiers of the newly-formed Afghan National Army, trained by the Americans, has been deployed to Herat for several weeks.
Khan's dismissal is the latest in a string of reappointments of military commanders and provincial governors to civil posts as the government attempts to strengthen its position.
US ambassador in Kabul Zalmay Khalilzad indicated that Karzai's move to replace Khan was carefully considered.
"Some thought that change should come after the presidential election and Ismael Khan was one of them," he said. "Others thought that change should come as soon as possible.
"The assessment was made... that it would be riskier to wait longer".
Khalilzad voiced the hope that Khan would come round.
"I talked with Ismael Khan... he has promised that he would go on Herat television to urge for cooperation with the new governor... and to work toward stability
Since Karzai's interim administration took office more than two years ago, the president has largely failed to extend its control over the provinces.
Remnants of the ousted Taliban regime continue to wage a guerrilla insurgency in the south and southeast of the country, despite an effort by 18,500 US-led troops to stamp them out.
Afghanistan has been hit by a wave of attacks in the leadup to presidential polls set for October 9.