Contractor ban delayed in Afghanistan?

KABUL, Afghanistan, Oct. 27 (UPI) -- Western forces in Afghanistan say they hope a delay in banning security contractors will give them enough time to modify a presidential decree, sources say.

Afghan President Hamid Karzai last week called for a ban on private security contractors in all but diplomatic and civilian protection roles.

The deadline was set for Dec. 17, though an extension could push the deadline to March 2011, al-Jazeera reports, citing sources close to Karzai.

Staffan de Mistura, the U.N. special envoy to Afghanistan, in a Wednesday statement said the U.N. mission in Afghanistan was supporting the measure.

"Our position is guided by a shared objective with the government of the Islamic republic of Afghanistan to advance the security and economic development of Afghanistan within a rule of law framework and a spirit of genuine partnership and mutual support," his statement read.

Al-Jazeera adds that the extension may give Western governments time to make provisions in the ban to allow security contractors to continue their controversial role in Afghanistan.

A U.N. working group on mercenaries last week said private security contractors may have been involved in human rights abuses, calling for more oversight for U.S. security companies working in Afghanistan and elsewhere.