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Former king of Afghanistan dies | Former king of Afghanistan dies |
(30 minutes later) | |
The former King of Afghanistan, Zahir Shah, has died at the age of 92 following a long illness. | The former King of Afghanistan, Zahir Shah, has died at the age of 92 following a long illness. |
Zahir Shah was deposed in 1973 and went into exile, but returned to Afghanistan after the fall of the Taleban in 2002. | Zahir Shah was deposed in 1973 and went into exile, but returned to Afghanistan after the fall of the Taleban in 2002. |
Many Afghans had a deep love and respect for Zahir Shah, whose lengthy reign was associated with peace, security and modest political reform. | Many Afghans had a deep love and respect for Zahir Shah, whose lengthy reign was associated with peace, security and modest political reform. |
His 40-year reign saw women receiving education and voting in elections, and a free press. | His 40-year reign saw women receiving education and voting in elections, and a free press. |
In April 2002 the former king stepped back onto Afghan soil. He was given an overwhelming welcome... Obituary: Zahir Shah | |
Mr Shah died at his Kabul residence in the presidential palace compound. | Mr Shah died at his Kabul residence in the presidential palace compound. |
He had returned to Kabul in 2002 after 29 years in exile, mostly spent in Italy. | He had returned to Kabul in 2002 after 29 years in exile, mostly spent in Italy. |
Zahir Shah reigned as monarch from 1933 to 1973 - a time when Afghanistan underwent some democratisation but remained underdeveloped economically. | Zahir Shah reigned as monarch from 1933 to 1973 - a time when Afghanistan underwent some democratisation but remained underdeveloped economically. |
Neutral figure | Neutral figure |
During his long exile, the former king witnessed his country laid low by war, and the rise of the harsh Islamic regime of the Taleban. | During his long exile, the former king witnessed his country laid low by war, and the rise of the harsh Islamic regime of the Taleban. |
Born in Kabul in 1914, Zahir Shah was educated in France and was only 19 when he ascended the throne in 1933 after his father was assassinated. | Born in Kabul in 1914, Zahir Shah was educated in France and was only 19 when he ascended the throne in 1933 after his father was assassinated. |
After World War II, in which he succeeded in maintaining both Afghanistan's neutrality and its borders, the king recognised the need for modernisation. | After World War II, in which he succeeded in maintaining both Afghanistan's neutrality and its borders, the king recognised the need for modernisation. |
Zahir Shah brought in foreign advisers, founded the first modern university, and fostered cultural and commercial relations with Europe. | Zahir Shah brought in foreign advisers, founded the first modern university, and fostered cultural and commercial relations with Europe. |
The former king spent nearly three decades in exileBut amid the modernisation, dark undercurrents of wrangling between the country's tribal factions remained. | The former king spent nearly three decades in exileBut amid the modernisation, dark undercurrents of wrangling between the country's tribal factions remained. |
In July 1973, while he was in Italy receiving medical treatment for an eye condition, Zahir Shah was ousted in a coup orchestrated by his cousin, Mohammad Daoud. | In July 1973, while he was in Italy receiving medical treatment for an eye condition, Zahir Shah was ousted in a coup orchestrated by his cousin, Mohammad Daoud. |
Daoud opposed his efforts to open up the country and develop contacts with the West. | Daoud opposed his efforts to open up the country and develop contacts with the West. |
In the years following the coup, the last monarch of a 200-year old Pashtun dynasty lived in a villa outside Rome. | In the years following the coup, the last monarch of a 200-year old Pashtun dynasty lived in a villa outside Rome. |
During this time Afghanistan descended into factional violence and war. | During this time Afghanistan descended into factional violence and war. |
In 2002, Zahir Shah returned to his country to attend a meeting, known as a loya jirga, to decide Afghanistan's future. | In 2002, Zahir Shah returned to his country to attend a meeting, known as a loya jirga, to decide Afghanistan's future. |
He also moved back to into his former palace in the capital, Kabul. | He also moved back to into his former palace in the capital, Kabul. |
Zahir Shah's return to the palace was part of an agreement reached at the loya jirga, or grand assembly. | Zahir Shah's return to the palace was part of an agreement reached at the loya jirga, or grand assembly. |
He had agreed not to stand against Hamid Karzai for the post of Afghan head of state. | He had agreed not to stand against Hamid Karzai for the post of Afghan head of state. |
"It gives me great pleasure to come back, great pleasure," the monarch said on returning to his country. | "It gives me great pleasure to come back, great pleasure," the monarch said on returning to his country. |
Despite being viewed by some Afghans as a potential threat, Mr Shah was seen as the one figure who could bridge the country's divisions, says the BBC's Catherine Davis. | Despite being viewed by some Afghans as a potential threat, Mr Shah was seen as the one figure who could bridge the country's divisions, says the BBC's Catherine Davis. |
He was given the symbolic title, Father of the Nation - though he was an ethnic Pashtun, he was keen to distance himself from politics and tribal loyalties. | He was given the symbolic title, Father of the Nation - though he was an ethnic Pashtun, he was keen to distance himself from politics and tribal loyalties. |
The former king has eight children. One of them, Shah Mahmoud Zahir, died in Rome in 2002 at the age of 56. | The former king has eight children. One of them, Shah Mahmoud Zahir, died in Rome in 2002 at the age of 56. |