Most Afghans no longer have confidence in their local security forces, saying they are still not ready to take control of security from Nato troops. –Photo by AFP

MAZAR-I-SHARIF: Killings of UN staff in one of Afghanistan’s safest cities have raised fears that plans for Afghans to take control of security from Nato troops in three months are being rushed.

The northern city of Mazar-i-Sharif, famed for its opulent “Blue Mosque”, was thrown into turmoil last week when demonstrators took to the streets after Friday prayers to protest the burning of the Quran by an American pastor.

The protests spiralled into the attack on the UN compound in Mazar-i-Sharif, which left seven foreign staff dead.

Although peace has since been restored with stepped up patrols and pleas from local leaders, some residents say the attack leaves them worried that Afghan forces are not ready to take control of security for the city.

Those fears accompany growing hostility to foreigners; often all lumped together as Americans in the minds of many uneducated Afghans.

The United States led the 2001 invasion to oust the Taliban and Americans make up two-thirds of the 130,000 foreign troops in country.

A 25-year-old student who took part in last week’s fateful demonstration, but left before it turned violent said the attack on UN staff showed the security forces were “weak.”

“The time is definitely not right for a transition to our security forces in Mazar-i-Sharif,” he said, speaking anonymously due to fears he could be detained by police if identified.

“They are not ready, they are not well trained — we saw what happened on Friday. I am worried, I no longer have confidence in our security forces.”

Mazar-i-Sharif is one of seven areas of Afghanistan which will switch from international to Afghan security control from July, allowing limited foreign troop withdrawals ahead of the planned end of combat operations in 2014.

On March 22, President Hamid Karzai announced that Afghan forces would take over in Mazar and several other areas in the summer in plans that would allow Nato allies, facing domestic opposition to the war, to start withdrawing.

Although Nato is in overall command of Mazar-i-Sharif, where Germans make up the bulk of the mission, Afghan forces are on the front line.

The city’s police chief, General Ismatullah Alizai, admitted the UN attack showed their “weakness” and took the force by surprise.

“The attack on the UN office was unexpected and police was not ready for that,” he said.

“But we have learnt our lesson and are now working hard day and night to prepare the security forces for transition. We will, God willing, be fully prepared by that time.”

Police officials say they have now detained three suspected masterminds of the attack, one of whom allegedly defected from the Taliban and had been living in a safe house.

They also suggest the incident may have been connected to a feud between the provincial governor and powerful rivals seeking to undermine his authority.

Whatever lay behind the tragedy, the protests have spread across Afghanistan leaving at least 24 dead.

Experts say the Quran burning has fuelled discontent over 10 years of war, that living standards are not improving more quickly and anger against foreigners over civilian casualties in international military operations.

“They have burnt our holy book, we don’t want them in our country,” said Hamidullah, a 25-year-old shopkeeper in Mazar-i-Sharif who, like many Afghans, only uses one name.

“We don’t want the Taliban either, but at least they are Muslims, not infidels. These infidels are not here to help us, they are here for their own purposes.”

Some residents worry about the extent to which the Taliban will return when Nato leaves, particularly in relatively peaceful parts of the north, west and centre, believing that they have whipped up the Koran burning for propaganda.

Afghan officials admit they are holding talks with elements from the Taliban to end a war that has cost thousands of lives since 2001, but the prospect of a Taliban return horrifies Mohammad Zekerya, a 42-year-old teacher in Kabul.

“I am deeply worried. We see that the Taliban are actually using this issue of burning the holy Quran to stir trouble and facilitate their return.

“I predict street fighting, massacres, and lots of bloodshed in the absence of the international forces. It has already been proven that we can not bring peace and stability on our own.”