Afghans call for return of king

Several thousand supporters of Afghanistan’s former king, whose homecoming has been delayed by officials citing security concerns, marched through Kandahar today, calling for his speedy return from exile.

‘We want the king to come back and take the reins of the country,’’ said Azizullah Wasafi, a leading Kandahar royalist.

Mohammad Zaher Shah, 87, toppled from the throne in a 1973 coup, was expected to return from exile in Rome this week.

But the Italian government said his return would be delayed until April because of security concerns.