Kabul, Nov 19 (IANS): The Afghanistan government has tightened security ahead of the traditional Loya Jirga or grand assembly of tribal chieftains, notables and government functionaries, due to be convened Thursday to discuss the controversial security accord with the US.
Police and other security personnel were deployed in all sensitive areas and roads leading to the venue of the Jirga situated in Afghanistan's capital Kabul, reported Xinhua.
As a precautionary measure, the government announced a six-day holiday in Kabul which begins from Tuesday. All public and private offices will remain closed during the period.
The three-day Loya Jirga, to be attended by some 3,000 people, is set to discuss the proposed security accord, known as Bilateral Security Agreement, between Kabul and Washington.
If endorsed, it will enable the US to keep a limited number of troops, reportedly more than 10,000 servicemen, in Afghanistan beyond the 2014 withdrawal of NATO-led forces from the conflict-ridden country.