"The reform of the ministry of defence is underway," Karzai told reporters at the end of a two-day symposium on security sector reform attended by provincial governors, military commanders and top government officials.

"The new structure of the ministry of defence is being worked (out) and in a few days' time you will see the announcement with regard to the new appointments and the new structure as well."

Karzai said they discussed reform of the security sector, judicial sector and army administration.

"Their talks today and yesterday were very fruitful and covered all issues pertaining to the security sector in Afghanistan and how to improve the work in the security sector.

"They have reached good decisions and, with the will of God, we will be able to implement ... the decisions that have been taken," he said, which would "improve the lives and bring security to the people of Afghanistan."

United Nations special envoy Lakhdar Brahimi told the opening session that security was the number one concern for Afghans, who regularly suffered abuses at the hands of warlords, armed factions and other people nominally charged with providing security.

"As President Karzai often stressed, that those who are nominally in charge of security should be the main offenders against security of their fellow citizens is one of the most serious indictments of the current state of affairs in the country," he said.

Dozens of people have been killed so far this year in clashes between factions loyal to Deputy Defence Minister Abdul Rashid Dostam and his rival, warlord General Atta Mohammad, both vying for control of northern Afghanistan.

The United Nations has called for the urgent implementation of reforms to make the defence ministry and army more representative of the country's ethnic and regional mix.

Defence Minister Mohammad Qasim Fahim has been accused of packing the ministry and new national army with fellow Tajiks.

US military chief General Richard Myers met with Fahim Wednesday to discuss reform efforts. The United States is leading efforts to train and rebuild the new national army, which currently numbers 5,000, against an expected eventual strength of 70,000.

The launch of the long-awaited disarmament programme was conditional on reform of the defence ministry.

The Japanese-led programme to disarm, demobilise and reintegrate 100,000 militiamen nationwide is seen as an important step towards improving security and extending the reach of Karzai's government beyond Kabul to the provinces, which remain largely under the sway of warlords and militias with nominal allegiance to the president.

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