The head of the opposition, Said Abdullah Noori, stressed that his side was absolutely in favour of peace, but he said the Commission would stay on hold until certain demands were met. Far and away the most important issue is the future of his powerful deputy, Akbar Turajonzoda. He is a controversial figure, once the spiritual leader of the country, who now lives in exile in Iran. It was Mr Turajonzoda who headed the opposition side through years of peace talks, ending with the peace treaty signed last year.

The opposition wants him to play a prominent role in the new coalition government and has suggested various posts. Now it says the Commission cannot resume work unless Mr Turajonzoda is appointed. Mr Noori's camp sees this very firm stand as a way of unjamming the peace process, but some figures on President Rahmonov's side consider Mr Turajonzoda simply unacceptable in high office.