KABUL: A smouldering power struggle between Hamid Karzai, Afghanistan’s US-backed president, and Mohammed Fahim, the ambitious defence minister who commands thousands of loyal troops, has flared into serious confrontation in recent weeks, raising concerns here and abroad of a violent split in the still- fragile government.

During six months as the country’s appointed leader, Karzai largely avoided antagonizing Fahim, an ethnic and political rival, accommodating his demands and allowing him unfettered rule over a military mini-empire dominated by fellow ethnic Tajik militia fighters from northeastern Afghanistan’s Panjshir Valley.

But since being elected president in June, Karzai has taken several unexpected steps to challenge Fahim, which officials said has alarmed and infuriated the defence chief. Two weeks ago, Karzai ordered Fahim to drastically reduce the number of Panjshiris in the Defence Ministry and replace them with non- Tajiks, according to foreign diplomats and Afghan officials.

Even more tellingly, Karzai dismissed his Defence Ministry guards last month and replaced them with US Special Forces after the assassination of Vice President Abdul Qadir in July, suggesting that Karzai doubted Fahim’s loyalty.

Officials close to Karzai say they fear the growing tension could lead to violent reprisals against the president, whose political base remains weak and whose authority barely extends beyond Kabul.

If Afghanistan relapsed into civil strife, it would seriously jeopardize the flow of foreign aid and investment the country desperately needs to rebuild its economy and pacify the gun- riddled countryside.

“For six months Fahim dictated to Karzai, and he was the most powerful man in Afghanistan. Now he is worried that may change,” said a deputy minister who is close to Karzai. “The president has gotten (foreign) protection now, but I still think he is in danger. Fahim and his friends are warlords, and you cannot make peaceful men out of them. If the situation remains as it is, I think we are headed back to civil war.”

Fahim’s power stems from his position as military leader of the Panjshir-based Northern Alliance militia, a post he inherited last September when Ahmed Shah Massoud, the alliance’s charismatic chief, was assassinated.

Fahim and other Panjshiri leaders believe their role in defeating the Taliban has earned them the right to control Afghanistan’s defence establishment. Panjshiris dominate the Defence, Interior and Foreign ministries, as well as the intelligence police.

Although Karzai enjoys strong diplomatic and political backing from Washington, the US military preoccupation with rooting out terrorism has required US forces to continue relying on Fahim’s help. This has shored up his power and in the process undermined Karzai, who has no militia and depends on a multinational peacekeeping force to keep order in the capital.

In the past month, US officials have begun to reassess their relationship with the Northern Alliance, pressing for Defence Ministry reforms and for better Afghan military cooperation in the US programme to train a multi-ethnic national army, which Afghan and American officials view as the only solid antidote to the pernicious, historic influence of regional, ethnic-based militias. But both domestic and foreign critics say Washington should be pressing much harder.

Fahim supporters dismiss accusations that he seeks to monopolize power or undermine Karzai’s authority. They point out that the defence minister has repeatedly voiced support for Karzai and for the creation of a new national army that transcends political and ethnic loyalties.

Fahim has demonstrated shrewd public relations sense, switching from combat fatigues to business suits and recently forming a National Defence Council that includes both former warlords and ex-army officials. At its first meeting last week, Fahim called for all militia factions, including his own, to permanently disarm.

Despite his recent moves to challenge Fahim’s power, Karzai has continued trying to placate him on the sensitive issues of job titles and patronage, officials said, partly because he remains wary of the militia leader and partly because he hopes to deepen Fahim’s stake in a strong central government with a broad national vision.

“Karzai is trying to keep the balance,” said one official. “He doesn’t want to fight” with the Panjshiris. Other diplomats said Karzai remains eager to avoid a break with the Northern Alliance and believes he is making progress in broadening Fahim’s vision of himself as more than the head of an ethnic faction.—Dawn/The Washington Post News Service.