Afghan President Hamid Karzai has named a former ambassador to Pakistan, Mohammad Umer Daudzai, as the government's acting interior minister.
The presidential palace announced Daudzai's appointment and said it was aimed at "ensur[ing] better security."
He replaces Mujtaba Patang, who was dismissed by parliament in July amid charges of rising insecurity and mounting corruption within his ministry.
Daudzai, a former chief of staff to Karzai, announced earlier this month that he would be a "probable" candidate in the presidential election due next April.
Karzai also appointed Kabul police chief General Ayoub Salangi as Daudzai's deputy.
The appointees will have caretaker status in their new roles until the parliament confirms them.
The appointments came as dozens of people were killed in militant attacks across the country this week.
The presidential palace announced Daudzai's appointment and said it was aimed at "ensur[ing] better security."
He replaces Mujtaba Patang, who was dismissed by parliament in July amid charges of rising insecurity and mounting corruption within his ministry.
Daudzai, a former chief of staff to Karzai, announced earlier this month that he would be a "probable" candidate in the presidential election due next April.
Karzai also appointed Kabul police chief General Ayoub Salangi as Daudzai's deputy.
The appointees will have caretaker status in their new roles until the parliament confirms them.
The appointments came as dozens of people were killed in militant attacks across the country this week.