A draft Afghan
constitution has been unveiled, setting out a new political system and
defining Islam's role in the country.
Man prays in Kabul: Islam will have an important
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It calls for the creation of an Islamic republic, with a presidential
system, and where citizens have equal rights.
The draft will be debated by a loya jirga grand assembly next month,
paving the way for possible elections in 2004.
A spokesman for President Hamid Karzai said Afghanistan needed
stability and the new constitution was made with "the next 100, 200
years" in mind.
The ceremony came as a delegation from the UN Security Council toured
the country to examine post-war reconstruction efforts.
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 The draft is based on Islamic principles and
recognises that no law can be contrary to the sacred religion of
Islam 
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The
delegation is the first of its kind to visit the country since the
Taleban were ousted in 2001.
The UN envoys headed to the western town of Herat on Monday to meet
Governor Ismail Khan who is often accused of ignoring central authority.
Islamic republic
The Constitutional Committee had been due to present the draft in
September, but it was delayed for technical reasons.
The draft was handed over at a formal ceremony with Mr Karzai, former
King Mohammed Zaher Shah and foreign diplomats at Kabul's Presidential
Palace on Monday.
The 88-year-old ex-monarch said he hoped the new constitution "will
direct people towards peace, security and democracy".
The BBC's Sanjoy Majumder in Kabul says, under the constitution, the
country would be called the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan.
There would be a presidential form of government, with a
vice-president and a parliament with upper and lower houses.
Afghans would have equal rights, and there would be a drive to
promote the education of women following their experiences under the
Taleban.
Long-awaited
"The draft is based on Islamic principles and recognises that no law
can be contrary to the sacred religion of Islam," the commission said in
a statement.
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Karzai (right) met the UN delegation on Sunday
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Our
correspondent says the draft makes no mention of Sharia law.
The unveiling has been long-awaited by ordinary Afghans, lawyers and
experts who have been debating the constitution's likely provisions over
the last few months.
Hardliners have sought assurance that the constitution will not turn
the country into a secular state. Others were pressing for the adoption
of civil laws but in conformity with Islamic principles.
The international community wanted to see that basic human rights
were guaranteed and the rights of women protected.
The constitution was drafted by the 35-member commission, which
started work more than a year ago.
Hundreds of thousands of questionnaires were sent to communities
around the country asking for their views on a new constitution for the
country. Those who could not read or write recorded their thoughts on
tape.
