Loya Jirga Opens with Declaration of Support for Karzai
In turn, Karzai pledged his allegiance to Zahir Shah and proposed that he be formally titled "Father of the Nation" and given a series of important ceremonial responsibilities, AFP reported.
More than 1,500 delegates at the tribal gathering gave the 87-year-old former monarch a rousing welcome as he arrived in their midst, clapping and cheering and chanting "Allah-u-Akbar" (God is great).
The start of the Loya Jirga, which is to select a new transitional government to rule Afghanistan until democratic elections in 2004, was delayed for a day amid a wrangle over the ex-king's future role.
Under pressure from the United States he stood aside in Karzai's favor late Monday, in a move which angered his supporters and sparked threats of a walkout from the Loya Jirga.
But in his inaugural address Zahir Shah put his full support behind the 44-year-old Karzai, with whom he has a relationship that has been likened to that "between father and son".
"I deem it necessary to mention that dear Karzai has shown during this span of time qualities and efficacy, and I would like to declare that we support him and he is our candidate for the transitional period," he said. "I would like to wish him success." Zahir Shah, who spent nearly three decades in exile in Italy until returning to his homeland in April, reiterated that he had no interest in restoring the monarchy in Afghanistan.
"Now that there is a chance for the Loya Jirga, I would like to support it and I would like to declare that I do not have the intention to restore the monarchy," he said, his voice sounding strong and robust.
The former monarch urged the delegates, who have traveled to Kabul from across Afghanistan and beyond, to take their task extremely seriously.
"My advice to the Loya Jirga delegates is that you should take into view the high interest of the country so that you can be successful at this big undertaking," he said, speaking in the local Dari language.
As well as proposing that the Loya Jirga approve Zahir Shah's title of "Father of the Nation", Karzai proposed seven jobs for the popular former monarch who is seen as a symbol of unity in a divided nation.
The first three are for him to inaugurate the Loya Jirga, the national council -- or Parliament -- and the drafting of the Constitution.
The fourth is his participation at the "highest level" on national days, meaning that events mandated under state protocol, like inspecting the national guard, will be presided over by the ex-king.
The fifth and sixth are that he acts as "the upholder of peace" in the nation, and be responsible for the conferring of state titles and medals.
Finally, Karzai proposed that after the week-long Loya Jirga, Zahir Shah again take up residence at the presidential palace where he lived for 60 years before his ouster.
Karzai said that the transitional government to be selected at the Loya Jirga faced a major task in eradicating corruption and the influence of warlords.
"There is bribery and corruption in the government departments.
Any future administration should rid the country of corruption and bribery," he said.
United Nations Special Representative to Afghanistan Lakhdar Brahimi congratulated Karzai for his performance over the six months as interim leader and applauded his administration for holding the Loya Jirga.
"In just under six months they have put Afghanistan back on track and established a foundation on which, god willing, the transitional authority will consolidate peace and lasting stability," he said.
In opening remarks ahead of the ex-king's inaugural speech, the Head of the Loya Jirga Organizing Committee Isamael Gasimyar described the gathering as "historic and destiny-making".
"The message of the Loya Jirga is a message of national unity, a message of peace and reconstruction. It is a manifestation of the free will of the Afghan people," he said.
"The people of Afghanistan have suffered for more than two decades. They have suffered tragedies. Now they have a chance for happiness." However, there was a controversial note when some of the delegates refused to stand for the national anthem which was sung in the widespread Dari language, which is mostly spoken in cities, instead of in ethnic Pashtu.