Afghan President yields premier job to a deputy

June 12, 1981

President Babrak Karmal of Afghanistan gave up the post of prime minister and appointed one of his deputies, Sultan Ali Kishtmand, to head the country's government, Radio Kabul reported. The change was made at a session of the Afghan Revolutionary Council.

Since taking power in a Sovietbacked coup at the end of 1979, Mr. Karmal has held all three jobs in afghan politics -- President of the Revolutionary Council , which makes him head of state; prime minister; and general secretary of the ruling People's Democratic Unity Party.