Karmal Quits Remaining Afghan Posts

ISLAMABAD, Pakistan — Babrak Karmal, who was replaced as Afghanistan’s top leader six months ago, resigned today from all his remaining government and Communist Party posts, Radio Kabul said.

The report said Karmal resigned the presidency and his seat on the ruling Politburo. The move appeared to complete the process of removing Karmal from power that began earlier this year when he lost the country’s top post, that of Communist Party secretary general.

Karmal had been installed by the Soviet Union in December, 1979, but was replaced as party leader this year by Najibullah, former chief of the nation’s secret police, after growing indications that Moscow was unhappy over his failure to crush Muslim guerrillas.