TEHRAN - Head of Security and Intelligence of the Qandahar Province of Afghanistan rejected an order to step down from his position by President Hamed Karzai. Kalali on Tuesday cited his role in ousting the Taliban and announced, "Before stepping down, I must confer with my commanders, soldiers and leaders of my tribe." "Only with their consent will I agree to step down from my position."

"The edict is a personal matter of suspicion," said Kalali.

Kalili is allegedly blamed for the unsuccessful assassination attempt on Hamed Karzai in Qandahar three months ago. It is believed that he is accused of negligence in carrying out his duties in preventing the assassination attack.

Last week the transitional government's cabinet held an extraordinary meeting in which it decided to discharge some 20 political, military, and security officials in various places of the country including Mazar-i-Sharif and Qandahar as well as the Mayor and Head of Customs department in Jalal Abad.

The reasons cited for the dismissals consisted of abuse of power, financial corruption, disobeying the central government, participation in producing and trafficking of drugs in addition to taking bribes.

Kalali had been discharged from his position once before but was reinstated through intervention of intermediates.