Afghanistan's grand assembly enters a critical stage today, after the election of US-backed Hamid Karzai as president, with delegates to discuss the make-up of a new government, key to President Karzai's chances of forging unity.
Representatives of the 32 provinces and overseas Afghans are expected to launch a passionate day of debate at the Loya Jirga, with the focus the ethnic mix of the cabinet that will rule for 18 months until general elections are held.
"Karzai's success depends on the structure and combination of his government," said Mr Homayoun Wasifi, cousin of former king Mohammad Zahir Shah.
The task of the Loya Jirga is to choose a cabinet that mollifies supporters of Mr Zahir Shah, most of them from the majority Pashtun ethnic group, and the powerful minority Tajiks and Uzbeks of the Northern Alliance, that forms the core of the interim government.
President Karzai's ascendancy to the highest position in the land caps six months in which he rose from an urbane but unknown one-time businessman to an internationally recognized ally of the United States in its war on terrorism in his trademark green gown and lamb-skin hat.
His landslide was greeted with enthusiastic applause and shouts of Allah Akbar(God is greatest) and no sign of bitterness among the warlords and former Mujahideen gathered under the giant white tent where the Loya Jirga is being held.
In a passionate speech to the traditional assembly, President Karzai pledged to defend Afghanistan against foreign aggression, winning a standing ovation, and delivered a resume of his half year in power.
Behind the scenes, political and military leaders have been discussing the structure of the new government and distribution of portfolios.
President Karzai came to power under a UN-sponsored agreement in December after the hardline Taliban were swept from power by Northern Alliance opposition forces backed by US air strikes.
The United States attacked Afghanistan to root out Osama bin Laden, its prime suspect in the September 11th attacks on Washington and New York, and punish his Taliban protectors.
The Loya Jirga will choose a 111-member parliament that will sit soon after the new government is chosen.