Afghan President Hamid Karzai has announced a limited reshuffle of his cabinet, dropping his long-time Foreign Minister Abdullah.
An aide for Mr. Karzai says Abdullah will be replaced by Rangeen Dadfar Spanta, a presidential adviser on foreign affairs. It was not immediately clear why Abdullah was replaced.
Other changes included the replacement of Women's Affairs Minister Masouda Jalal with Suraya Raheem Subhrang. Zarar Ahmad Moqbil, who has been acting interior minister since last September, was appointed to the post permanently.
Among the key ministers who will keep their jobs are Defense Minister Abdul Rahim Wardak, Counternarcotics Minister Habibullah Qaderi and Economy Minister Amin Farhang.
The changes are subject to approval by the Afghan parliament, which is likely to be presented with the final list of the new cabinet later this week.