KABUL, Oct 6 (AFP) - Former king Mohammad Zahir Shah Wednesday called on Afghans to vote freely for their own favourite in the country's upcoming landmark presidential elections.
"I, as the father of the nation request you, dearests, to take part in this historical event and vote for your favourite candidate," he said in a statement.
"Afghanistan needs peace and long-standing stability. The election process and electing a president is the guarantor of a stable future to the whole nation and I wish success to all of you in the presidential elections."
A member of the royal family and the former king's closest aide, Sardar Abdul Wali, told a news conference immediately after Zahir Shah's statement: "I will vote for the person who has the support of the people and the international community."
"For five upcoming years I think someone like (US-backed incumbent Hamid) Karzai fits the criteria and I personally will vote for Karzai," Abdul Wali said.
Zahir Shah, who is well respected by most Afghans, left the country three decades ago after his cousin Mohammed Daud staged a bloodless coup against him.
He returned home after the US-led invasion in 2001 ousted the hardline Islamic Taliban regime. An emergency Loya Jirga, or grand council of tribal leaders, gave him the title "Father of the nation".
The election on Saturday is the first of its kind in the history of Afghanistan, which has been riven by conflict for the past 25 years.
The Soviet occupation of 1979-89 was followed by a civil war and then a battle against the Taliban.
Karzai is the favourite to win the election and several prominent figures, including former prime minister Burhanuddin Rabbani, have announced their support for him in recent days.
A total of 18 candidates are running for the presidency. Karzai's only serious challenger is considered to be former education minister and prominent anti-Taliban fighter Yunus Qanooni.