Afghanistan: Karzai dismisses intelligence chief

[August 29, 2012]  KABUL, Afghanistan (AP) -- Afghan President Hamid Karzai's office says he has dismissed the country's top intelligence official, a move that comes just as he prepares to name new defense and interior ministers.

The changes in three top jobs in Afghanistan's security apparatus come at a crucial time. The U.S.-led coalition is working closely with Afghan officials to train national security forces to fight Taliban insurgents after most international troops withdraw by the end of 2014.

A statement from Karzai's office Wednesday said Rahtamullah Nabil would leave his post as National Directorate of Security director. It said the decision came because Nabil had served out his two-year term. It did not name a replacement.

Earlier Wednesday, lawmaker Abdul Qadir Qalatwal said Karzai will nominate new Defense and Interior ministers "today or tomorrow."

[Associated Press]

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