Australian minister questioned on Afghani warlord

Last Updated: Tue, 4 Oct 2011 19:51:00 +1100

Australia's Defence Minister, Stephen Smith, says he is aware of the poor reputation of one of Australia's close allies in Afghanistan.

Mr Smith met a local warlord and police chief in Uruzgan province, Matiullah Khan, during a one-day visit to Afghanistan.

Mr Khan has been accused of attempting to extort money from NATO forces.

Mr Smith says all Australia asks is that he does his job as police chief and co-operates with the Afghan government.

"In Uruzgan, in Afghanistan, there are lots of tribal complexities, lots of tribal loyalities and also lots of tribal competition," the minister said.

"And he's a person who in the past has been subject to a range of allegations many of which have come from tribal rivals."

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