Mujaddedi elected as Loya Jirga chairman

KABUL on the Bilateral Security Agreement (BSA) with the United States.

Beginning amid extraordinary security arrangements at 10.30am, the four-day consultative assembly will debate the nitty-gritty of the accord shaping a future US military presence in the country.  

Around 2,500 people’s representatives, tribal chieftains and 500 guests, including foreigners, are attending the forum. A security blanket has been thrown around the city, where several busy entry points have been blocked.

National assembly and provincial council members, scholars, women tribe, people with disabilities, traders, rights activists and representatives are among invitees.  

Over the past two years, Afghanistan and the US have held several rounds of tough negotiations on shaping a US military presence after 20014, when all foreign combat troops are scheduled to leave.

Following President Hamid Karzai’s address, the preparatory commission deputy head, Niamatullah Shahrani, proposed Mujaddedi as the jirga’s chairman. The house unanimously approved Shahrani’s proposal.

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