Ministers, parliamentarians and thousands of other people joined Afghan President Hamid Karzai to bury his half-brother Ahmed Wali Karzai, a political strongman who was praised for his efforts to bring peace to the southern province of Kandahar.
Ahmed Wali Karzai, dubbed the president of Kandahar, was killed on Tuesday at his home by his long-trusted security chief.
Turban
Immediately after the ceremony, Mr. Karzai placed a turban on the head of Shah Wali Khan, another of his half-brothers, but made no official announcement on who would become the new provincial council head.
The Taliban has claimed responsibility for killing Ahmed Wali Karzai.
Speaking at a press conference on Tuesday, Mr. Karzai said: “This is the life of the people of Afghanistan. Afghan families, every one of us, have suffered from it and we hope, God willing, for our suffering to be over.
“Once again I call on the Taliban, my dears, my brothers and friends, come and join me in building the country. Stop destroying the country.” Mr. Karzai was joined at the funeral by Kandahar's Governor Tooryalai Wesa and Mayor of Kabul Muhammad Yunus Nawandish. A memorial is scheduled for Thursday so more family members can travel to Kandahar.
The brothers' father, Abdul Ahad Karzai, was assassinated in 1999.
Ahmed Wali Karzai's body was released to the family on Tuesday afternoon from the Mirwais hospital. Rumours circulated that the remains of Sardar Mohammad, Ahmed Wali Karzai's assassin, were strung up at a city centre roundabout.
Police chief General Abdul Razaq said an investigation had been launched into the assassination.
Local media, citing officials, reported that a number of arrests had been made on Tuesday night in connection with the killing. — © Guardian Newspapers Limited, 2011
