Afghanistan's Former King to Return Home in March

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Last updated at: (Beijing Time) Monday, January 28, 2002

Afghanistan's Former King to Return Home in March

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Afghanistan's former King, Zahir Shah, is to end 28 years of exile and return home in mid-March, his son said on Saturday, as the country's interim leader called for U.S. forces to remain there until the al Qaeda network is totally wiped out.

Afghanistan's interim leader, Hamid Karzai, will fly to Rome to accompany ex-King Zahir Shah back home, the monarch's youngest son, Mirwais Shah, told Reuters.

The ailing 87-year-old king has been exiled in Italy since he was ousted in a bloodless palace coup in 1973.

"My father has decided to go back as soon as he can," Mirwais Shah said. He did not give a specific date but hinted it would be before March 21.

"On the 21st (of March) we will celebrate the New Year that the Taliban abolished," he added. The ancient rite -- Nowrus -- coincides with the beginning of Spring and was outlawed by Afghanistan's Islamic militant former rulers.

"He (the king) is very happy that after 28 years in exile he can return. He suffered like all of us. It will be a joy to go back and help our people," Mirwais Shah, who will accompany his father, said.

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