Afghan king’s return delayed by ‘alarming reports’

Afghan king Mohammad Zaher Shah’s trip home was delayed after US President George Bush phoned Italian Premier Silvio Berlusconi to tell him about threats to the exiled king, a top official said in Rome today.

Adding to Italy’s concern were ‘‘alarming reports’’ from their own military intelligence, said Margherita Boniver, the official in charge of Afghan affairs.

As a result, Italy delayed Zaher Shah’s trip and decided to take charge of his security on his arrival instead of leaving it in Afghan hands.

It was an abrupt change of plans that took both Zaher Shah and interim Afghan leader Hamid Karzai by surprise.

‘‘This all happened after Bush called Berlusconi,’’ Boniver said.

Zaher Shah was expected to leave Rome yesterday. Karzai had been preparing to fly from Kabul to Rome on Sunday to escort him back.

It now appears that the 87-year-old king, who has lived in Rome since a 1973 coup, will not return before mid-April.

‘‘We feel responsible not only for taking the king back, but his safety and security once he gets there,’’ Boniver said.

Zaher Shah ruled Afghanistan for 40 years, the last stretch of real peace the county knew, and many Afghans hope he can serve as a unifying figure when he returns. He is scheduled to convene a national assembly called a loya jirga in June to choose a new national government.

The former monarch has said he is eager to see his homeland again and hopes to live out his ‘‘remaining years’’ in Afghanistan, serving his people.