Kandahar clerics back jirga on deal with US

KANDAHAR CITY (PAN on the bilateral security agreement (BSA) with the US.

The Ulema Council, which met in Kandahar City, announced it would support whatever decision the assembly of tribal elders reached on the fate of the security deal.

The meeting was attended by several members of the council. A member of the body, Maulvi had long been in the grip of bloody wars.

He said if the security deal with the Americans could guarantee a good future for the Afghans, then it should be supported.

Another member Hafiz Rahmatullah said the US should give respect to religious views of the Afghans and their traditions and culture.

Abdullah said they would not support any agreement that could endanger the country’s sovereignty and national interests.

A total of 2500 dignitaries have been invited to attend the assembly scheduled to be held later this month to make a final decision on the BSA, which would determine the number of American troops staying on in the country after 2014.

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