Karzai elected Afghan head of state

Hamid Karzai, the leader of the interim Afghan administration, has been overwhelmingly elected as the country's head of state.

The decision was made by an extraordinary grand council, or loya jirga.

Ismail Qasim Yar, head of the loya jirga commission, announced that Mr Karzai won 85% of the 1,555 votes.

"We announce him as the president of the coming interim government," Mr Qasimyar said.

Mr Karzai received a thunderous applause when the announcement was made.