Zahir Shah (Pashtun)
Former king of Afghanistan who was deposed by his cousin Daoud during a visit to Europe in 1973.
As a Durrani Pashtun he has much support in the southern belt of Afghanistan and, some believe, because of ethnic ties, with regional leaders who have allied themselves with the Taleban.
The Taleban advocated the return of the king during their early days in 1994, but later reversed this position.
More recently the regime has warned Zahir Shah not to meddle in Afghan affairs.
Now exiled in Rome, his aides say he intends to return soon to Afghanistan to assist in building a power-sharing administration in the near future.
His fourth son Mirwais Zahir is also interested in assisting in the task of rebuilding Afghanistan.
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Abdul Wali
Top military official under Zahir Shah. He lives in Rome and is believed to have helped create the former king's plan for peace.
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