Obituaries: Mohammed Zahir Shah: 1914 - 2007 (Afghanistan's last monarch)

Associated Press: Largely benign king, who helped usher in post-Taliban era but stood aside in favor of Hamid Karzai, ruled for 4 decades during a reign remembered for minimal bloo, --- "The people are relying on you and you should not forget them," the monarch told the loya jirga, or grand assembly, which ratified the landmark charter. "I hope you will try your best to maintain peace, stability and the unity of the Afghan people."