Afghanistan announces emergency Loya Jirga
Reuters
Kabul, March 31
The commission charged with establishing a broad-based
Afghan government announced on Sunday an emergency
Loya Jirga, a council of tribal elders, will be held
from June 10 to June 16 to select members of a new
government.
"The Loya Jirga will be held from June 10 to June 16,"
commission chairman Ismail Qasimy told a news
conference.
The 21-member commission has been touring Afghanistan
for weeks to publicise its work and consider possible
participants in a gathering to either endorse the
present administration of interim leader Hamid Karzai,
in power since mid-December, or elect a new leader and
government.
The Loya Jirga is a centuries-old system for reaching
important decisions in Afghanistan's tribal society.
They are often colourful affairs with delegates in
turbans, lambswool hats or embroidered quilt coats
debating for days or weeks.