On January 4, 2004, Afghanistan's Constitutional Loya Jirga (Grand Assembly) approved a 162-article constitution establishing a presidential system of government with a bicameral legislature and paving the way for national elections later in 2004.

The approval came after three weeks of meetings in Kabul during which 502 men and women delegates, representing Afghanistan's various ethnic groups and geographic regions, debated and made compromises on a draft document before approving it by acclamation.

In a January 4 statement, President Bush said "the new constitution marks a historic step forward, and pledged continued U.S. assistance to the Afghan people as they build a free and prosperous future."