Loya Jirga 2002 Photos
 

Former Afghan King Mohammad Zahir Shah (R) and interim leader Hamid Karzai speak after making statements to the press in Kabul June 10, 2002. The former king addressed the long-awaited Loya Jirga tribal assembly June 11, saying he had no desire to restore the monarchy and affirmed his backing for Karzai. (Caren Firouz/Reuters)

Afghanistan's former King Mohammad Zahir, seated on stage at centre, with his image shown on giant screens, opens the Loya Jirga tribal assmebly grand council meeting in Kabul, Tuesday, June 11, 2002. The king has spent some 29-years living in exile, and returned to Afghanistan following the departure of the Taliban. Afghanistan opened its grand council to choose a new government Tuesday, shortly after the nation's former president bowed out of the race for head of state, removing the last major challenger to interim leader Hamid Karzai. (AP Photo/Caren Firouz, Pool) - Jun 11 3:56 PM ET

Loya Jirga delegates wait for the beginning of meeting, in Kabul, Tuesday, June 11, 2002. Afghanistan opened its grand council to choose a new government Tuesday, shortly after the nation's former president bowed out of the race for head of state, removing the last major challenger to interim leader Hamid Karzai. (AP Photo/Natalie Behring-Chisholm, Pool) - Jun 11 3:59 PM ET