KABUL: An Afghan lawmaker says President Hamid Karzai will nominate replacements this week for two key security ministers removed by parliament earlier this month.

Lawmaker Abdul Qadir Qalatwal said on Wednesday that the parliament was told Karzai will nominate Defence and Interior ministers ''today or tomorrow.''

He said ousted Interior Minister Bismullah Khan Mohammadi would be nominated as the new defense minister, replacing Abdul Rahim Wardak. On Aug. 4, parliament voted to remove both Wardak and Mohammadi.

He said that Deputy Interior Minister Mushtaba Patang would be nominated as interior minister.

Keeping Mohammadi in one of the two top security jobs would preserve some continuity as officials work with the US-led coalition to train Afghan security forces in preparation for the withdrawal of most international troops by the end of 2014.