January 20, 2003	Monday	Ziqa'ad 16, 1423

KABUL, Jan 19: The United Nations said on Sunday around 500 light and heavy weapons had been collected in the latest disarmament operation in the northern Afghan province of Faryab.

The operation took place on Saturday around Maymana and was organised by a delegation from the multi-party security commission based in the main northern city of Mazar-i-Sharif, a spokesman for the UN’s Afghan mission told a press conference.

Under UN supervision, the multi-party security commission includes representatives from the main armed factions in the unruly north of the country.

In the aftermath of 23 years of conflict, much of Afghanistan is dominated by heavily-armed local commanders whose violent resolution of disputes remains a pressing problem for President Hamid Karzai.

The delegation which returned on Saturday to Maymana was lead by Abdul Rashid Dostum, who is head of the Jumbesh militia and deputy defence minister in the Afghan transitional government. It also included members of the rival Jamiat militia.

The operation was to be followed up Sunday in Maymana.—AFP