Afghans debate new constitution

Delegates come from a wide variety of political, ethnic and social groups

Delegates from across Afghanistan are debating a new constitution, on day two of their loya jirga, or grand assembly.

Convening the meeting on Sunday, former king Zahir Shah said it was delegates' duty to work for the wishes of the people.

But differences have already emerged over whether Afghanistan's presidency should be kept in check by parliament.

The meeting is the second since the Taleban fell two years ago, and comes amid rising violence in many areas.

Bring as many rockets, bombs and guns as you have - we will fight you, resist you and keep our people safe from you because we have God, the people and the government on our side President Hamid Karzai

Some 500 delegates are attending the meeting, set to last several weeks.

They include former communists, mujahideen fighters, tribal leaders and Western-based exiles.

In a highly symbolic opening, about a dozen Afghan children wearing traditional dress sang songs of peace while waving Afghan flags. Several delegates were moved to tears.

Taleban threats

"The people are relying on you and you should not forget them," the 88-year-old former monarch said as he formally opened the loya jirga, along with the country's interim President Hamid Karzai.

"I hope you will try your best to maintain peace, stability and the unity of the Afghan people."

Delegates were moved by the children's singing

President Karzai laid down a challenge to militants - the Taleban and their allies have threatened to target the assembly.

"Bring as many rockets, bombs and guns as you have," he said.

"We will fight you, resist you and we'll keep our people safe from you because we have God, the people and the government on our side."

The BBC's Lyse Doucet, at the loya jirga, says Sunday's programme was largely procedural, with the election of a chairperson high on the agenda.

Moderate mujahideen leader and a former prime minister, Sibghatullah Mujaddedi, was later elected chairman.

But she adds that behind the scenes, politicking has already begun, with different interest groups jostling for position.

Supporters of the Tajik-dominated Northern Alliance spoke in favour of a parliamentary system, as opposed to the strong presidency favoured by Mr Karzai.

Kabul delegate Hafiz Mansour described as "illegal" President Karzai's appointment of 50 delegates to the council and said they should be denied voting rights.

But representatives of the Pashtuns, the country's largest ethnic group, backed the president, saying he had been given authority by the last loya jirga in June 2002.

HAVE YOUR SAY I am very much hopeful that this loya jirga will unite Afghans Rohullah Niazi, Afghanistan Send us your comments

Strong presidency?

The loya jirga is a key element of a United Nations-supervised two-year plan to stabilise the country following the ousting of the Taleban.

Delegates are discussing a 160-article draft document. On Monday they are expected to consider the role of Islam in the new constitution.

The legal system will also be debated, though the draft stops short of endorsing Islamic Sharia law.

This constitution is the route to a nation - it is necessary and compulsory, we have to approve it and then follow its laws Dr Abdul Ghafour Noon Nuristan What Afghans think about the constitution

Many decisions may be left to the conservative Islamic clerics who hold sway over the courts.

Human rights will also be debated, although critics say the draft does not do enough to protect Afghan women.

The loya jirga is an important part of Afghanistan's history - some historians maintain the tradition goes back 1,000 years, although others dispute this.

Traditionally, loya jirgas have no time limits and continue until decisions are reached.

In the past such grand councils have been used to decide foreign policy, to declare war, to legitimise new rulers, shore up dynasties or introduce or rubber-stamp radical new ideas and policies.

This loya jirga - and one held last year to choose a transitional government for Afghanistan - broke with tradition by having a majority of locally-elected delegates, including women.

The draft constitution it will consider took a full year to draw up.

More than 170,000 people took part in public consultation meetings around the country and 50,000 written surveys were submitted.