Afghan city quiet after clashes
2004-09-13 08:00
Herat - The western Afghan city of Herat was calm Monday following bloody riots over the sacking of the local governor that left at least four people dead and 50 injured.
A curfew was imposed late on Sunday after hundreds of demonstrators attacked United Nations buildings in the city and clashed with US and Afghan forces after local strongman Ismael Khan was removed from his post on Saturday.
Khan appealed to his supporters in a speech late on Sunday on local television to remain calm and to avoid violence.
"The city is quiet and shops are open. There are less soldiers around," said Herat city resident Mohammed Saleem.
Traffic in the city was returning to normal and roads leading to foreign consulates and United Nations offices were open.
Khan, a powerful warlord, was given a new post as the minister of mines and industries in Kabul, but he has refused to take up the position and said he was not qualified for the post.