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Ex-Afghan king can play symbolic
role: US

US Secretary of State Colin Powell on Sunday said Washington envisioned an important but symbolic role for former king Zahir Shah in the future of Afghanistan, even as the Northern Alliance envoy to the United Nations said the Afghans were capable of creating their own form of government.

"I think the king plays an important role, a symbolic role," Powell told Fox television.

"I don't want to prejudge what the discussions might lead to, but it seems to me that his role would continue to be symbolic, as opposed to being the executive or the chief executive of the new government," he said.

The UN envoy of the Northern Alliance, Haron Amin, told CNN that Afghans could create their own form of government if left on their own.

Amin's comments were in reaction to claims by former US ambassador to the United Nations, Richard Holbrooke, that the Afghans "have been fighting among themselves too long to form an integrated security force now".

"He's a very good ambassador. But I think if left alone, and when appropriately aided, we can come up with our own form of government," Amin said.

Agencies

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