(MENAFN- The Journal Of Turkish Weekly) The Afghan government's difficulties in forming a cabinet have continued with their nominated defense minister turning down the post on Wednesday.
Lt. General Mohammad Afzal Ludin was chosen by President Ashraf Ghani for the crucial Ministry of Defense after parliament rejected an earlier candidate, army chief General Sher Muhammad Karimi.
"I never want to be the reason of division among my people, therefore I want to withdraw my nomination," said General Ludin in a statement released by the Presidential Palace.
President Ghani's power-sharing partner Chief Executive Abdullah Abdullah was reportedly unhappy with General Ludin's nomination.
Ghani and Abdullah spent more than 100 days deciding on their initial cabinet list after Ghani took office in September, only to have more than half of their nominations rejected by parliament.
Last week 16 new cabinet nominees were presented to parliament for a vote of confidence; the only remaining position is for the defense minister.
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