defeated, with a U.S. official saying all sides favored giving Afghanistan (news - web sites)'s former king a role as a unifying figure.
Delegations representing the northern alliance, exiles backing the ex-king and two smaller exile groups all pledged to seek a power-sharing formula as they began talks under strong international pressure to end more than two decades of war.
While the Afghans are meeting, the United States, Russia and neighbors such as Pakistan and Iran are exerting heavy influence from the corridors. Regional stability and billions in development aid are at stake.
``The atmospherics for the opening session were remarkably good,'' said James F. Dobbins, the U.S. government's Central Asia envoy. ``The prospects of us making some progress are pretty good.''
Dobbins said detailed discussions were only beginning, but he suggested the factions could agree to establish former king Mohammad Zaher Shah - who has lived in exile in Italy since his 1973 ouster......
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