Calm is reported in the eastern Afghanistan province of Paktia, where at least 50 people have been killed in two days of fighting between rival factions.

News reports say the fighting died down late Thursday, when forces loyal to the newly appointed provincial governor (Padshah Khan Zadran) retreated to the hills on the outskirts of the provincial capital, Gardez.

The new governor, appointed by the interim Afghan government, faced stiff resistance from troops loyal to the local tribal chief (Haji Safiullah), who says local residents elected him governor of the province, near the Pakistani border.

Both sides are now said to be waiting for a government delegation to arrive from Kabul to try to resolve the dispute. The factional fighting has raised new questions about the prospect of lasting peace in Afghanistan.

Thursday, during a visit to London, the Afghan interim leader Hamid Karzai met with British Prime Minister Tony Blair and again urged for an expanded multinational force to ensure security in areas beyond Kabul.

Mr. Karzai made similar appeals to the United Nations Security Council on Wednesday, and also during talks with President Bush at the While House earlier this week.

Some information for this report provided by Reuters and AP.

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