1.   President Najibullah said he would call a grand council of all Afghans.

2.   A grand council will be convened during that time to set up a two-year transitional authority, which will culminate with elections.

3.   His statement was a response to a disagreement over his role that delayed the start of the grand council that is to elect new leaders.

4.   Just minutes before he won support from delegates of the grand council for his new Cabinet.

5.   Just minutes before, the grand council had approved his new Cabinet and the appointment of several vice presidents.

6.   Karzai was elected to a two-year term as president by a grand council that ended a nine-day gathering in Kabul on Wednesday night.

7.   On Friday, an elder who dissented from the ruling of the grand council of the Orakzai tribe had his house burned down as punishment.

8.   Pir Gailani and others propose expanding the membership of the grand council and making it more representative.

9.   Several recent incidents have been reported as preparations continue for a grand council in June to develop a new administration as a step toward a permanent government.

10.   Still, Karzai defended the grand council as the best hope for a legitimate government here.