The World - News from Nov. 21, 1986

Babrak Karmal, who was Afghanistan’s top leader for 6 1/2 years before being replaced this year, completed his withdrawal from public life by formally resigning from the presidency and the Communist Party Politburo. Radio Kabul, monitored in Islamabad, Pakistan quoted the new Afghan strongman, Najib, as saying that Karmal’s health is “deteriorating with every passing day.” Karmal, 58, has visited Moscow several times for medical checkups in recent years, and his last visit, in April, led to speculation about changes in leadership.