Kabul calm after Taleban retreat

Northern Alliance troops patrol Kabul

By the BBC's William Reeve in Kabul

The Afghan capital Kabul remains calm, one day after troops of the Northern Alliance arrived to take over control after the withdrawal of the Taleban.

Following the retreat of Taleban forces, ordinary civilians are now getting on with their lives.

The Northern Alliance's political leader, Burhanuddin Rabbani, is expected in the capital during the day.

Shops are reopening and life is getting back to normal.

Streets are full of people and the bazaars are busy once more.

Music shops are blaring out music that was banned as un-Islamic under Taleban rule.

There are long queues at barber shops as men line up to have their beards trimmed.

Alliance on alert

Many said they were so used to having beards that it was too early yet for a clean shave.

And women are still wearing their all-enveloping burkas, or chadaris as they are known in Afghanistan.

There are guards outside all government buildings and embassies and troops are manning major road intersections throughout the city.

Ordinary civilians are getting on with their lives as though not too much has happened.

Tuesday saw Kabul residents looting aid warehouses

They have little option and are used to such changes.

But people are gratified that the transfer of power this time has been a relatively peaceful one.

About 20 dead bodies were found on the streets on Monday.

Most of the dead were Pakistanis or Arabs who had been fighting with the Taleban.