Karzai Accepts Dismissal of Two Ministers

President Hamid Karzai has accepted the dismissal of the defence and interior ministers by the Afghan parliament, but has asked them to retain their respective posts until replacements are appointed.

"The Afghan government will decorate them [Mohammadi and Wardak] with highest state medals of honor, and we will ask them to continue as experienced and dedicated persons to serve their nation and their country in other capacities within the government," said a presidential statement issued after a security council meeting chaired by President Karzai.

Legislators disqualified Defence Minister General Rahim Wardak and Interior Minister General Bismillah Mohammadi on Saturday, arguing that the top security ministers failed to prevent border attacks from Pakistan and a series of assassination attempts of top Afghan officials.

"The National Security Council said it respects Parliament's decision to disqualify Ministers in accordance with article 92 of the Constitution," the statement added.

The two officials may retain their positions up to a month while President Karzai nominates individuals for the key positions.

There are rumors that former Interior Minister, Bismillah Mohammadi, former Deputy Defense Minister, General Atiqullah Baryalia, and the Afghan ambassador to the United States, Sayed Taib Jawad could be the possible candidates for the Defense Ministry positions. The current Counter Narcotics Minister, Zarar Ahmad Muqbel, current Borders and Tribes Minister Asadullah Khalid and Afghan High Peace Council Secretary, Masoom Stanikzai are said to be possible Minister of Interior candidates.

General Wardak has been the Minister of Defence since 2004. General Bismillah, who served as the Chief of Army Staff until 2010, was then appointed as the Minister of Interior.