Former Afghan king prepares broadcast

The former king told his country to remain calm

By David Willey in Rome

The former king of Afghanistan Zahir Shah, who has lived in exile in Rome for almost 30 years, has recorded a message for broadcasting to the people of his country on the eve of Ramadan.

The ex-king has support from some Afghans

The former king, a Pashtun who was ousted by his cousin in a coup in 1973, is now 86 years old and frail.

But he intends to return to his country as soon as conditions permit, he said.

In an address recorded in Rome, which he hopes will be transmitted by the international media, ex-King Zahir Shah told the Afghan people to remain calm, show patience, and respect human rights.

'Ordinary citizen'

He said he will return to Afghanistan, not as sovereign, but as an ordinary citizen willing to serve his country.

The king urged respect for prisoners of war

He also called on warlords to heed international conventions concerning prisoners of war.

People who surrender should be treated with respect, the king said.

Several times during his exile in Rome, the King has called for the convening of a council of elders called a Loya Jerga to decide on the future of Afghanistan.

Any decisions taken by this body when it meets should be fully implemented, the former king concluded.