Third woman in Afghan government

The Afghan President, Hamid Karzai, has named a relatively unknown woman, Habiba Sorabi, as the new minister for women's affairs in his transitional government.

She replaces the outspoken Dr Sima Samar, who was accused by one of the Islamic fundamentalist parties of being un-Islamic.

Mr Karzai said he had given Dr Sima the option of staying on in her post, but she chose instead to head the newly established Human Rights Commission.

The public health minister is also a woman, Suhaila Seddiqi, and another woman Mahboba Hoqooqmal, holds a junior government post.

A presidential spokesman said there was still much to be done for women and one government position would not have been enough. Hamid Karzai was elected by the Loya Jirga grand assembly earlier this month to lead the country for 18 months until general elections.

From the newsroom of the BBC World Service