Former Afghan king calls for end to US attacks

Afghanistan’s exiled king, Zahir Shah, who was overthrown in 1973, has called on the US to stop its bombing campaign in Afghanistan now that the Taliban is in retreat.

In a radio broadcast today, Mr Shah urged his countrymen to unite and freely choose their own destiny.

The 87-year-old is seen by many as a figure who could unify Afghanistan’s rival warlords, but he made no mention of his own role in a post-Taliban government.