Afghan parliament approves new defense minister, intelligence chief

 The Afghan parliament on Monday approved Abdullah Khan Habibi as the defense minister and Mohammad Masoom Stanikzai as head of National Directorate for Security (NDS) or the country's intelligence chief.

Abdullah Khan Habibi secured 167 votes out of 224 legislators available in Wolesi Jirga or the Lower House of parliament, while Stanikzai was approved as head of the national intelligence chief with 161 votes.

Stanikzai had served as acting defense minister and Khan Habibi was serving as the Chief of Staff in the national army.

President Mohammad Ashraf Ghani in a statement released by his office thanked the parliament for reposing trust in the two nominees. source : xinhua