DHAKA: An Afghan official says preparations are underway for a meeting of elders next month that will advise the president on whether to sign a long-troubled security deal with the United States.

Afghanistan interior ministry spokesman Sediq Sediqi said on Thursday that security services are taking all the required measures for the Loya Jirga, or council of Afghan elders, reports The Straits Times.

President Hamid Karzai called the meeting to discuss the state of the agreement after negotiations stumbled despite one year of talks.

The US wants a deal in October.

Karzai has ruled out signing the US-Afghan deal until disagreements over sovereignty issues are resolved, but it remains doubtful any agreement will have been reached in a month’s time.

BDST: 1859 HRS, OCT 10, 2013
RoR/RIS