Afghan council delayed after row over ex-king

The loya jirga, the grand council called to organise a new government and give war-weary Afghans hope for a peaceful future, has been postponed over differences about the future role of the former king, Mohammad Zaher Shah.

The 1,550 delegates, among them 200 women, were to convene today to begin the task of electing a head of state, deciding the framework of the transitional government and naming ministers to key posts. The new government will lead for 18 months pending elections.