U.S. Secretary of State Colin Powell dispatched James Dobbins, his special envoy for Afghan opposition groups, to Rome, Italy, to meet with Afghanistan's deposed king, Mohammad Zahir Shah, before heading to the region.

CNN: Move into Afghan capital hastens diplomatic steps

Members of delegation of former king Mohammad Zahir told CNN that the Northern Alliance and the king's factions, which together make up a majority of the conference participants, have agreed to form a transitional council of 120 to 200 members.

CNN: Northern Alliance rejects U.N. force plan

U.N. and U.S. officials agree that the former Afghan king, Mohammad Zahir Shah, 87, -- who has been living in Italy since a 1973 coup -- should play a role in the next government, even if it is a symbolic one.

CNN: Northern Alliance rejects U.N. force plan