Afghan UN worker killed in western Afghanistan

KABUL, March 6 (Reuters) An Afghan working for the United Nations was shot dead in the west of Afghanistan at the weekend, a provincial governor said today.

The killing took place in the Zairkoa area on the border between Farah province and neighbouring Herat yesterday, Farah Governor Ezatullah Wasfi said. The victim worked for the UN HABITAT agency, he said.

The governor said it was unclear if the killing was the work of Taliban insurgents, or provoked by a tribal rivalry.

Two UN staff members were killed in Afghanistan last year, but attacks by Taliban insurgents on aid workers have declined while those on government officials and security forces have increased.

A UN spokesman said he was not immediately able to comment.

REUTERS OM RN1617