U.S. tries to stop Afghan ban on private contractors

Most private security companies are still supposed to be out of Afghanistan by the end of the year.

President Obama and his national security team are assessing the war in Afghanistan this week. The Washington Post reports the work of private security firms is still a big question.

President Hamid Karzai has insisted on a ban of private firms, mainly because of civilian casualties. Karzai has insisted that Afghan police and soldiers are enough to protect reconstruction workers in his country.

General David Petraeus and U.S. Ambassador Karl Eikenberry have been among the U.S. officials trying to talk the Afghan government out of banning private firms. They say the eviction will mean billions of dollars in reconstruction projects will have to be stopped.

U.S. diplomats have expected Karzai to eventually back down on the issue. So far, he hasn’t and has dismissed requests for a delay.

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