KANDAHAR, Afghanistan — Canada's top representative in Afghanistan says he's keeping a close watch on the progress of an investigation into the treatment of detainees.

Ambassador Arif Lalani says Canada is expecting the Afghan government to move quickly to investigate new allegations that detainees captured by Canadians are being abused when handed over to local authorities.

Canadian officials heard the complaints while visiting prisons under the agreement signed in early May that beefs up the access Canadians have to prisoners they've captured.

Lalani says the Afghans are fulfilling their obligation by investigating the allegations and it proves the process is working.

But he said he will be speaking to them regularly about the progress they are making and if the allegations are substantiated, charges could be laid.

The newly-minted diplomat met with local and Canadian reporters in Kandahar today to discuss his first month on the job.