Afghan foreign minister to takeover mandate of deputy premier

Deputy Premier Abdul Kabir missing from official meetings since September, Taliban say he is not feeling well

ISLAMABAD:

Afghanistan's acting Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi will temporarily assume the duties of deputy prime minister, local media said on Saturday.

Afghan Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid said that Muttaqi will temporarily take over the responsibilities of Mawlawi Abdul Kabir due to his illness, Tolo News reported.

Muttaqi will work and advise to acting Prime Minister Mullah Mohammad Hasan Akhund over domestic and foreign policy, it added.

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"Following up on domestic and foreign policy have been entrusted to the minister of foreign affairs, and the head of the political deputy PM's office should carry out the other work and activities,” the broadcaster quoted Mujahid as saying.

Kabir has been missing from official meetings since September and his office said that he is not feeling well.

"We hope that he will return to his duties in the coming days. He participates in consultations and gave advice to the government, but he did not visit his office because the physicians had urged him to take a rest,” said Hassan Haqyar, head of the media directorate of the political deputy premier, according to Tolo.