Afghan forces went on high alert today ahead of the imminent return of the exiled former king, as international troops said security in the country's capital Kabul had improved.
Fears of an attack on the 87-year-old former king, Mohammed Zahir Shah, have already delayed his return at least once and earlier this month officials announced they had foiled a plot to "sabotage" the interim authority.
Rockets and small arms have been fired at foreign troops and large weapons caches have been discovered in the capital.
Afghan defence ministry official Mir Jan said local security forces were on high alert in the lead-up to Zahir Shah's expected touchdown tomorrow morning at Kabul international airport.
Interim leader Hamid Karzai's spokesman Yusuf Nuristani told reporters today that the entourage was expected to arrive back at Kabul at around 10 a.m. (6.30 a.m.) tomorrow.
Italy has announced it will send around nine policemen with Zahir Shah to maintain his security in Afghanistan for three months. The unit will be posted in Zahir Shah's residence until local police are trained to take over.
AFP