Afghan sources in Germany, confirming the venue, said besides delegates from the Northern Alliance and the former King Mohammad Zaher Shah, some representatives from the "Cyprus Process" would also attend.

The meeting was scheduled to be held in the newly built German Foreign Ministry in Berlin, but informed sources told Iran Press Service that it was decided to transfer it to a "safer place" due to security concerns.

Situated on top of a hill overlooking the majestic river Rehine, Petersberg comprises a magnificent palace that is difficult to access and used to serve as guesthouse for foreign dignitaries when Bonn was the capital of former Western Germany.

Held under the auspices of the United Nations, the conference would concentrate on the convention of a "Loya Jirga", or the assembly of Afghan elders, with the task of forming of an "all Afghan" interim government.

Asked if Poshtoons, who forms the largest of Afghan tribes would also attend the Bonn meeting, Mr. Sa’deddin Saljooqi, the Afghan Consul in Bonn said the the Alliance delegation comprises all Afghan parties, political formations, religions and tribes, "including Poshtoons".

Mr. Lakhdar Brahimi, the UN’s Secretary General special Envoy for Afghanistan would also be present, diplomatic sources told IPS.

Speaking to reporters in New York, Mr. Brahimi, a former Algerian foreign minister conformed that the meeting would be attended by the Northern Alliance, which comprises several groupings united in fighting the Taleban, representatives of the former king, and other Afghans interested in being involved in the political process.

Mr. Francesc Vendrell, Mr. Brahimi’s deputy, who has been in Kabul since Saturday, managed to secure the agreement of the various Afghan factions to attend.

He met with Mr. Borhaneddin Rabbani, the president of the Islamic Government of Afghanistan, representatives from the Northern Alliance factions and shawras (consultative assemblies) from the predominantly Pashtoon southern part of Afghanistan, as well as those of the predominantly Shi’a Muslim Hazara ethnic group. He also held discussions with special envoys from the UK, Iran and Russia.

The "formula" provides for the convening of a conference of Afghan parties, electing a provisional council, and proposing a transitional administration to be in place for no longer than two years, and to be endorsed by a Loya Jirgah.

According to the plan, a second Loya Jirgah should later be convened, which would approve the constitution and create the government of Afghanistan.

"The dispatch of the female representatives is meant to defend the rights of the women in future in Afghanistan", Mr. Abdol Sattar Seyrat a spokesman for the King said.

Mr. Yoones Qanooni, the Alliance’s Interior Minister also confirmed the presence of "at least one woman" in the delegations.