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| Afghanistan buries its last king | Afghanistan buries its last king |
| (2 days later) | |
| The funeral has taken place in Kabul of Afghanistan's last king, Mohammad Zahir Shah, who died on Monday aged 92. | The funeral has taken place in Kabul of Afghanistan's last king, Mohammad Zahir Shah, who died on Monday aged 92. |
| Dignitaries from around the world bade farewell to the man known as the father of the nation. He was buried beside his father and wife on a hill above Kabul. | Dignitaries from around the world bade farewell to the man known as the father of the nation. He was buried beside his father and wife on a hill above Kabul. |
| Zahir Shah returned from exile in 2002, 29 years after being deposed in a coup orchestrated by his cousin. | Zahir Shah returned from exile in 2002, 29 years after being deposed in a coup orchestrated by his cousin. |
| Many Afghans see the former king as a symbol of the national unity that has been lost amid years of conflict. | Many Afghans see the former king as a symbol of the national unity that has been lost amid years of conflict. |
| In the latest violence, the Nato-led force said six of its troops had been killed in the south of the country. | In the latest violence, the Nato-led force said six of its troops had been killed in the south of the country. |
| Scores of Taleban rebels were also reportedly killed - there is no independent confirmation of the claim. | Scores of Taleban rebels were also reportedly killed - there is no independent confirmation of the claim. |
| Tributes | Tributes |
| A guard of honour carried the former king's coffin draped in the Afghan flag to a viewing stand under a shade of pine trees at the palace grounds in the capital. | A guard of honour carried the former king's coffin draped in the Afghan flag to a viewing stand under a shade of pine trees at the palace grounds in the capital. |
| Zahir Shah was a monumental figure in Afghan history, and his life spanned vast changes in that country's political system US President George W Bush | Zahir Shah was a monumental figure in Afghan history, and his life spanned vast changes in that country's political system US President George W Bush |
| Cabinet members and parliamentarians filed past, bowing their heads and giving their condolences to the bereaved family. | Cabinet members and parliamentarians filed past, bowing their heads and giving their condolences to the bereaved family. |
| The coffin was conveyed to Kabul's main mosque where thousands of mourners had gathered for prayers. | The coffin was conveyed to Kabul's main mosque where thousands of mourners had gathered for prayers. |
| Zahir Shah was then taken to a hilltop mausoleum overlooking the city where he was laid to rest. | Zahir Shah was then taken to a hilltop mausoleum overlooking the city where he was laid to rest. |
| Television and radio stations in Afghanistan have been broadcasting Islamic recitations interspersed with tributes to the ex-king. | Television and radio stations in Afghanistan have been broadcasting Islamic recitations interspersed with tributes to the ex-king. |
| These include old footage of Zahir Shah's 40-year reign, which began in the year Adolf Hitler came to power in Germany. | These include old footage of Zahir Shah's 40-year reign, which began in the year Adolf Hitler came to power in Germany. |
| The new British Foreign Secretary, David Miliband, was among those attending. He flew into Kabul earlier on Tuesday on a pre-planned trip, his first official visit abroad in his new post. | |
| His counterparts from Pakistan, India, Canada and Italy and the Pakistani prime minister are also present. | His counterparts from Pakistan, India, Canada and Italy and the Pakistani prime minister are also present. |
| Tributes to the former king have been sent from around the world. | Tributes to the former king have been sent from around the world. |
| US President George Bush described him as "a monumental figure in Afghan history". | US President George Bush described him as "a monumental figure in Afghan history". |
| Violence | Violence |
| Police and foreign troops in the capital, Kabul, stepped up security ahead of the state funeral, occupying high points which could be used by militants to attack the ceremony. | Police and foreign troops in the capital, Kabul, stepped up security ahead of the state funeral, occupying high points which could be used by militants to attack the ceremony. |
| Afghan and Nato troops have recently been in heavy fighting | Afghan and Nato troops have recently been in heavy fighting |
| The Nato-led force says that four of the six troops who died in the latest fighting on Monday were victims of a bomb blast. | The Nato-led force says that four of the six troops who died in the latest fighting on Monday were victims of a bomb blast. |
| Not all the nationalities are known, but Norway says it has lost one special forces soldier. | Not all the nationalities are known, but Norway says it has lost one special forces soldier. |
| The US-led coalition, which operates alongside Nato-led forces, says that it and Afghan troops killed more than 80 Taleban rebels in clashes in southern Helmand province. | The US-led coalition, which operates alongside Nato-led forces, says that it and Afghan troops killed more than 80 Taleban rebels in clashes in southern Helmand province. |
| Afghan officials have mentioned 30 insurgent deaths. | Afghan officials have mentioned 30 insurgent deaths. |
| The Taleban have meanwhile further extended a deadline for demands to be met for the release of 23 South Korean hostages. | The Taleban have meanwhile further extended a deadline for demands to be met for the release of 23 South Korean hostages. |