KABUL, May 22: The northern Afghan warlord has become the first target of President Hamid Karzai’s effort to bring unruly provinces into line.

An adviser to Karzai said Gen Abdul Rashid Dostum would no longer serve as deputy defence minister in northern Afghanistan but move to Kabul as a military and security adviser.

Zalmai Hewadmal, the presidential adviser on cultural affairs, told Reuters Dostum had accepted the order.

“He has been appointed adviser to the president in military and security affairs. He has to be in Kabul like other advisers.”

Hewadmal brushed aside suggestions that the move was intended to weaken Dostum. “Contrary to what people may think, he has been promoted,” he said.

However, analysts say that by moving Dostum to the capital, Karzai will hope to see a reduction in violence and tension in the north, which has hindered his efforts to unite and rebuild the country.

Dostum, an ex-communist general who has served in various regimes during more than two decades of upheaval, was a key commander in the war against the Taliban regime. toppled in late 2001.—Reuters