Afghan jirga begins on US ties, peace

KABUL: President Hamid Karzai arrived Wednesday for the opening of Afghanistan's loya jirga, a key gathering of elders to discuss long-term relations with the United States and peace efforts with insurgents.

Karzai took his seat among hundreds of elders at the venue in Kabul, shortly before the four-day event formally opened with a recitation of verses from the holy Quran, an AFP reporter said.