Not that the top civilian post in the 19-member alliance is a poisoned chalice.

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Mr Price faces claims he used "undue influence" during the appointment of the daughter of Dave McLuckie, the former police authority chairman, to a civilian post with the force.

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But Washington experts on post-conflict reconstruction still worry about the civilian part of the puzzle.

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Actor Jeremy Irons read Last Post by Poet Laureate Carol Ann Duffy during the service to recognise military and civilian contributions to the conflict.

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Although the parties likely to assume power doubtless feel threatened by extremism, the post-electoral situation will force them to focus time and energy on more elemental things: reestablishing civilian rule after nearly a decade out of power, reversing many of Musharraf's recent actions, perhaps seeking his ouster, sorting out differences among themselves, and dealing with pent-up public frustrations about lack of services and other grievances.

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