New governor in west Afghanistan assumes office amid fierce violence

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http://www.afgha.com/?af=article&sid=45828

KABUL, Sept. 12 (Xinhuanet) -- The newly appointed governor of Heart in west Afghanistan Syed Mohammad Khirkhah assumed office amid tight security and increasing violence Sunday.

Afghan Vice President Niamatullah Sharani who introduced the new governor to provincial authorities at a heavily guarded ceremony returned to Kabul presumably on security reasons the same day. Many officials have also left the city, Xinhua correspondent who was at the scene noticed.

The handover ceremony was held at 4 p.m. local time but the ousted former governor Ismael Khan was absent. Rumors have circulated that the defiant former warlord was kept under US custody, but this cannot be independently verified.

Khan, the strongman of west Afghanistan who has been appointed as Minister for Mines and Industries Saturday is reluctant to accept the new post saying he complies with the order to give up governorship but prefer to stay at home instead of assuming new charge.

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