Impossible to name new cabinet this week: Official

KABUL (Pajhwok): Officials close to the unity government on Monday ruled out naming of new cabinet this week and revealed that a decision could be reached next week.

Wishing not to be named, an official told Pajhwok Afghan News that both President Ashraf Ghani and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Abdullah Abdullah could not achieve any breakthrough to form the cabinet.

Earlier, the president had promised to announce the new cabinet within one week—a pledge that could not the materialized.

The official said that the source of contention between the president and the CEO was that they did not develop agreement on the name of minister of interior.

Earlier, both the leaders agreed on the key ministries of interior and defense but now the president was reportedly said to have the ministry of defense with him. According to the constitution, the president is the supreme commander of armed forces.

The official said that US senators were expected to visit Kabul this week to help resolve differences between both the leaders on the subject. If the US senators visited Kabul, they would meet the president and the CEO.

nh/rm