By Peter Biles BBC correspondent in Kabul

The Afghan defence minister, Mohammed Fahim, has been outlining details of a disarmament programme to bring weapons in the country under the control of the central government.

Presiding over a graduation ceremony of a battalion of French-trained Afghan soldiers, Mr Fahim declared that all weapons used in the past now belonged to Afghanistan's new national army.

Rebuilding a national army, and disarming militia groups around the country are two of the biggest problems facing the Afghan government.

Anti-Taleban troops will be allowed to keep their guns

Mr Fahim said there was no need for so many arms to be in circulation, and he claimed that regional commanders were ready to support the process of surrendering weapons and reconstructing a multi-ethnic national army.

City security

But some Afghan warlords will be wary of having their power usurped by central government.

The militia leaders who have been co-operating with the United States in the fight against remnants of the Taleban and al-Qaeda are likely to remain armed for the time being.

A senior American commander in Kabul said they could not be disarmed while the war against terrorism was still going on.

At the ceremony on Wednesday, the members of the second battalion of the army put on a display of their ability at the military training centre on the outskirts of Kabul.

The latest graduates will be based in the capital for now, as the government tries to reinforce security around the city.