KANDAHAR, June 2: Elections to select delegates to the Loya Jirga were held here on Sunday, with many candidates declaring they would back former Afghan king Mohammed Zahir Shah and his ally Hamid Karzai at the traditional assembly.

Karzai should be appointed prime minister with Zahir Shah named head of state at the Loya Jirga which will select a new transitional government, they said.

“We want the Loya Jirga to bring security and to determine the destiny of the country. We will elect somebody who is well known and who has proved he will serve the country,” said Amanullah from Zabul.

“Zahir Shah is acceptable for the country. Zahir Shah should be the leader and Karzai should be the prime minister,” he said.

—AFP