Finally, Afghans strike constitution deal

Rival Afghan factions have agreed on a national constitution, officials said on Sunday, paving the way for the first free elections in the country after nearly a quarter-century of war and bloodshed.

The breakthrough came after weeks of wrangling at a constitutional Assembly that exposed ethnic divisions and challenged the US Vision of a strong presidency.

8216;8216;There is good news, that we have reached a conclusion,8217;8217; Mirwais Yasini, deputy head of the Loya Jirga, or Grand Assembly, Commission, told delegates.

A full session of the 502-member Assembly was expected to reconvene in the afternoon for the first time since Thursday. The constitution will be read in the Pashto and Dari languages before being put to a show of hands. Last-minute discussions behind the scenes focused on language.