MAZAR-E-SHARIF (voa) – Afghanistan’s new interim cabinet ministers are opening offices and meeting staff members Monday as the daunting task of economic recovery and restoring security begins after more than two decades of war.
The office buildings are in horrible shape from looting and war, and civil servant staff members have not been paid for months.
New interim leader Hamid Karzai Monday appointed ethnic Uzbek warlord Abdul Rashid Dostum as deputy defense minister. The faction leader controls a powerful fighting force in the northern city of Mazar-e-Sharif, and has been critical of the formation of the new interim government.
The 29 cabinet ministers gathered for the first time Sunday with Mr. Karzai. The new leadership must find ways to keep the various factions across Afghanistan from returning to tribal skirmishes, and overcome five years of harsh and destructive Taleban rule.
Mr. Karzai says exiled Saudi terrorist leader Osama bin Laden and Taleban leader Mullah Mohammed Omar will face national trials for crimes against Afghanistan, and could be delivered to the United States. He says the two could also face international courts.
