Seven die as move to oust Afghan city's warlord prompts riot
Riots erupted yesterday in the western Afghan capital, Herat, killing at least seven people, after the interim president, Hamid Karzai, moved to wrest the city from its warlord ruler. Afghan soldiers opened fire on a stone-throwing mob that stormed UN offices in protest at Ismail Khan’s dismissal as the city’s governor, destroying vehicles and burning offices. US helicopters hovered over the city, which was under curfew last night, as plumes of smoke rose from the burning UN buildings. The announcement followed an appeal by Mr Khan for restraint. A hospital doctor said seven people died, while the interior ministry confirmed that there were 12 injuries.Full Story