UN says Afghan police needs rapid reform after riot

KABUL, June 5 (Reuters) Afghanistan has to introduce rapid reforms in its police force after last week's riots in the capital, Kabul, which erupted after a US military vehicle was involved in a fatal accident, the United Nations said today.

Five Afghans were killed by the runaway truck, which the US military says suffered brake failure, and seven were killed in the aftermath, some shot by American soldiers, according to a senior policeman.

UN special envoy for Afghanistan Tom Koenigs said President Hamid Karzai's government had to introduce ''fast reforms'' in the judiciary and police and must push ahead with the disarmament of illegal groups.

''It has caused immense damage to the reputation of Afghanistan,'' Koenigs told a news conference, referring to last Monday's violence.

The Western-trained police force has came in for particular criticism since the unrest.

''We regret that the response of the police ... was very weak and disappointing,'' Koenigs said. ''We think a professional and well-trained police is key to public security.'' Seen as the worst anti-foreign riots in Kabul since the Taliban were ousted in 2001, the unrest coincided with the worst period of violence in the Taliban insurgency since then too.

Karzai sacked dozens of police officials, inlcluding Kabul's police chief, on Saturday following the riots.

Koenigs said the riots were not largely anti-foreign. He blamed criminals and ''anti-rich resentment''. He also mentioned political motives but did not elaborate.

Western diplomats suspect members of an ethnic Tajik faction opposed to Karzai seized the opportunity to destabilise a government they feel is tilted too much toward Pashtuns, the largest of Afghanistan's ethnic groups.

Reuters KD GC1640