Northern Alliance rejects UN plan for Afghan security force

The Northern Alliance today rejected the United Nation's proposal for a security force for Afghanistan after the Taliban.

A security force is one of two items that are to be decided at UN-sponsored talks among four Afghan factions deciding the war-torn country's political future. The other is an interim administration.

"We don't feel a need for an outside force.

There is security in place, " Northern Alliance delegation leader Younus Qanooni said in Bonn.

The rival factions have been trying to thrash out a deal on a broad-based government in Afghanistan amid hopes that the country's former monarch may be accepted by all as a temporary figurehead.

Foreign diplomats said the 38 Afghan delegates seemed ready to accept 87-year-old exking Mohammad Zahir Shah as a transitional figurehead.

However, delegates warned he could not return as head of state.

"There is convergence but I believe it is not total," said Enrico de Maio, Italy's envoy on Afghanistan.