New Afghan governor pledges order

Afghan troops are patrolling Herat to prevent further violence

The man chosen to replace Ismail Khan as governor of Herat has stressed the need for restoring order in the riot-torn western Afghan city.

Supporters of Ismail Khan, a legendary local strongman, rioted after President Hamid Karzai replaced him with Mohammed Khair Khuwa.

Aid agencies and the United Nations in Afghanistan have said they are dismayed at being targeted in the violence.

UN staff were evacuated from Herat after rioters attacked their offices.

UN spokesman in Kabul, Manoel de Almedia e Silva says it was the worst violence he had seen directed at international organizations since the Taleban were ousted in 2001.

"I have been here for two-and-a-half years and I have never seen anything like this," he said.

I'm very sorry and sad over what happened to the United Nations and non-governmental offices here in Herat Mohammed Khair Khuwa New governor

The offices of the UN Assistance Mission in Afghanistan was targeted along with agencies such as the Afghan independent human rights commission and the International Federation of Red Cross Societies.

"The office is in ashes, everything is burned, they spilt gasoline and threw matches and the whole office does not exist anymore," deputy UN special representative in Afghanistan, Filippo Grande, is quoted as saying by AFP.

New governor's pledge

The BBC's Andrew North, who visited Herat over the weekend, says the violence is not a good start for the new governor.

UN officials have a critical role in organising Afghanistan's presidential elections, due to take place next month, but are now unlikely to return to the city until order is restored.

Profile: Ismail Khan

Our correspondent says symbolically Mr Khuwa chose to meet with the press in a guest house once occupied by Ismail Khan.

The governor pledged to take steps to ensure that the violence was not repeated and hoped that the aid agencies would soon return to Herat.

"I'm very sorry and sad over what happened to the United Nations and non-governmental offices here in Herat," he said.

The guest house also houses a US military command post - suggesting Mr Khuwa, a former diplomat, could have trouble demonstrating he was not installed and protected by US firepower.

At least seven people are reported to have died in a weekend of violence, triggered by President Karzai's decision to remove Mr Khan from Herat and offer him a minister's job in the capital, Kabul - an offer he refused.

At least 60 people, including 15 US troops, were reportedly wounded.

The new governor will have to contend with continued significant support for Mr Khan in the city, and the question of whether he will start disarming the militia force he controls, our correspondent adds.

Mr Khan, one of the best-known former mujahideen leaders, had ruled Herat for years and has resisted the president's authority.