News / Asia

Afghan President Accepts Top Ministers' Dismissal

Afghan President Hamid Karzai delivers a speech (July 8 2012 file photo)
Afghan President Hamid Karzai delivers a speech (July 8 2012 file photo)
TEXT SIZE - +
VOA News
Afghan President Hamid Karzai has accepted a decision by parliament to dismiss his two top security ministers.

However, Karzai said Sunday that the two will remain in office until their replacements are appointed.

Afghanistan's parliament voted Saturday to remove Defense Minister Abdul Rahim Wardak and Interior Minister Bismillah Mohammadi after a series of recent insurgent attacks and cross-border shelling incidents blamed on Pakistan.

The two were the top ministers in Karzai's Cabinet.  Their dismissal comes as the Afghan leader is trying to show stability in his government ahead of the withdrawal of international forces from Afghanistan.

You May Like

Experts Weigh In on Challenges of Closing Guantanamo Prison

Former chief military prosecutor at Guantanamo delivers petition to White House with more than 370,000 signatures, demanding facility be closed down immediately More

Karzai to Discuss Enhancing Defense Ties with India

Afghanistan looking for more military aid as it prepares for withdrawal of NATO forces by next year More

India, China Pledge to Overcome Border Tensions

Indian prime minister and Chinese premier attempt to move past tense standoff in the Himalayas during Delhi talks More

Burmese President Opens US Visit with VOA Town Hall Meeting

Ahead of his meeting with President Obama Monday, Thein Sein answered questions on human rights and economic development in his country More

Featured Videos

Your JavaScript is turned off or you have an old version of Adobe's Flash Player. Get the latest Flash player.
Your JavaScript is turned off or you have an old version of Adobe's Flash Player. Get the latest Flash player.
Video

Video US Oil Surge Could Impact Mideast Geopolitics

The United States will account for a third of new oil supplies over the next five years, and will become energy self-sufficient in 20 years, according to a new report by the Paris-based International Energy Agency (IEA). Although U.S. oil imports from Arab Gulf countries increased last year, analysts predict the U.S. will lose its dependence on Middle East imports, which is expected to have a huge impact on international relations and the balance of power. VOA's Henry Ridgewell reports.