Dozens of security companies also operate in Afghanistan, some of them well-known U.S. firms such as Blackwater and Dyncorp, but also many others that may not be known even to Afghan government.

Despite the attention on the Blackwater incident in Baghdad, the Western security official said the catalyst for the Afghan reforms was the May 2006 anti-foreigner riot in Kabul, which erupted over a wreck involving a U.S. military truck. Some 20 people died in the turmoil, mostly of gunshot wounds.

The Western official would not say whether armed supporters of the anti-Taliban Northern Alliance were involved in that bloodshed, but said the incident drew attention to the lack of rules for security firms.

"Allegedly there were 10,000 guards, but in truth the Ministry of Interior had no idea who they were, who they were reporting to," the official said.

The Interior Ministry says 59 Afghan and international security companies are registered, but the Western official said as many as 25 other firms could be operating in the country.-Ap

It also emerged Thursday that an American security company, U.S. Protection and Investigations, which does security work for the State Department aid arm USAID, was raided last month in Kabul by the Blackwater security firm.

U.S. Protection and Investigations faces accusations of overcharging USAID by billing for nonexistent employees and vehicles, said an American security official with close ties to the company. The overcharges could run into the millions of dollars, the official said, speaking on condition of anonymity.

Afghan police provided security for the raid on the company, according to Paktiawal, and the U.S. official said Blackwater security teams took computers and office files. Two Afghan workers were taken into custody, and Blackwater held American and Canadian citizens at gunpoint, the official said.

Blackwater, which helps provide security for the U.S. Embassy in Kabul, could not immediately be reached for comment. -Ap

Darth and his dog