US diplomat fired from UN job in Afghanistan

UNITED NATIONS-UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon on Wednesday fired Peter Galbraith, a UN deputy representative in Afghanistan, who reportedly left his job in disagreement with his superior.
Ban said he decided to recall Peter Galbraith, a US diplomat, and ended his posting as deputy to the UN chief of mission in Afghanistan, Kai Eide.
News reports said Galbraith had disagreed with Eide over the recent elections in Afghanistan. In doing so, Galbraith took an aggressive and outspoken line towards fraud in the August 20 vote, angering his Norwegian boss who has preferred to operate behind the scenes.
The UN chief had maintained until Wednesday that Galbraith would continue his appointment after weeks of news reports about the split between the two officials.
Ban expressed in a statement his 'thanks to Galbraith for his hard work and professional dedication.
'The Secretary General recognises Galbraiths important contributions to the work of the mission and throughout his distinguished career as an international civil servant, Ban said, adding, his decision was in the best interest of the UN mission in Afghanistan.
Galbraith and former Pakistan Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto were friends both studied at Harvard.