BAGHDAD, June 30: The US-led forces on Monday arrested the US-appointed governor of Najaf on charges of kidnapping and theft, in an embarrassing blow to their efforts to rebuild the country.

The arrest set back the US efforts to replace the Baath Party system with accountable public officials.

Senior spokesman Charles Heatley said the governor, Abu Haidar Abdul Munim, had been removed from office and replaced by his deputy.

“He faces a multitude of charges which include: kidnapping and holding hostages; pressurising government employees to perform financial crimes; attacking a bank official and stealing funds.”

US civil administrator Paul Bremer “was particularly distressed that this official was misusing his public office to commit crimes of this sort,” Heatley said. “We will make mistakes ... We clearly made a mistake with this chap.”—AFP