The U.S. Central Intelligence Agency says Afghanistan could fall back into chaos and civil war if steps are not taken to rein-in competing tribal leaders and warlords.

A senior U.S. official who has seen the report told The New York Times Thursday that a new war in Afghanistan is not imminent. But he says the "seeds of civil conflict" are present.

Security concerns in Afghanistan were fueled by last week's killing of the Afghan tourism minister at the Kabul airport, a riot at Kabul stadium, and skirmishes between rival militias in Khost.

The CIA report comes as top Bush Administration officials debate the best way to maintain security in Afghanistan.

The State Department recommends expanding the 4,000 man peacekeeping force from Kabul to other Afghan cities.

U.S. forces woud not be involved, but the army would fly in other troops and provide supplies.

Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld calls this a temporary measure that would drain resources. He supports building a natioal Afghan army so the country can better take care of itself.

U.S. army General Charles Campbell is on a month-long mission to Afghanistan to draw-up recommendations on the best way to assemble and train an Afghan national army answerable to central government in Kabul.

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