.- Afghan President Hamid Karzai on Saturday abandoned its decision to postpone the opening of Parliament in a month, lawmakers said, bowing to strong domestic and international pressure to end a period of political chaos. Karzai arrived in a last-minute deal with the representatives to open the session on Wednesday, with a delay of only three days from the original date which would perform the ceremony.He also hinted that it could abolish the special electoral court that caused the crisis. The result will please both foreign allies Karzai as the country's opposition politicians, who feared that the president was abusing his powers. Also feared an increase in instability in a time when violence is at its highest level since the ouster of the Taliban by US-led forces.
The crisis began when, earlier this week, Karzai supported a request by the electoral tribunal established by himself to allow another month of investigations into alleged fraud in the election of 18 September. Lawmakers were furious because they have not been able to take four months before the election, almost two months after final results were announced, denounced the tribunal as illegal and delay.
They had even threatened to meet in parliament on Sunday, with or without Karzai and said security forces had promised not to block their entry, suggesting that the president had the backing of his cabinet. United States, United Nations, the European Union and Canada have criticized the decision to Karzai and expressed "profound concern." "We have accepted the request to reopen the Parliament Karzai on Wednesday and avoid to go to Parliament tomorrow," said Sediq Ahmad Usmani, representative of the province of Parwan.
However, some doubted that Karzai kept his word. "Most of us can agree with the proposal by the president, but there is no guarantee that will not turn back," said Sharifullah Kamawal, MP for Kabul.
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- Karzai Relents, Agrees to Seat Afghan Parliament (22/01/2011)
- Afghan MPs accept Karzai's offer of Wednesday inauguration - Reuters (22/01/2011)
- Karzai may be willing to reconsider poll court: MP (22/01/2011)
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