Karzai and Lawmakers Reach Compromise

Bowing to international pressure, Afghan President Hamid Karzai has reached a tentative agreement with the country’s lawmakers—averting a constitutional crisis and clearing the way for Afghanistan’s newly elected parliament to meet within days. Karzai cut a trip to Russia short, after receiving growing criticism for delaying the parliament’s inauguration until late next month. He agreed to preside over the parliament's meeting as soon as Wednesday—but in return, demanded that lawmakers formally agree to allow his specially appointed court to investigate fraud allegations into the country's contested September election.