KABUL - Wolesi Jirga -- or lower house of parliament -- on Monday approved a draft law banning the appointment of a dual nationality-holder Afghan as an ambassador or consul-general.
The lawmakers also gave the go-ahead to a strategic cooperation agreement with Britain and four other accords, which were placed before the session by the house international affairs commission.

Mohammad Noor Akbari, deputy head of the commission, said that under the deal, the United Kingdom would assist Afghanistan in areas of good governance, economic development and security.

He added the commission recently prepared a three-chapter draft law on the appointment of diplomatic staff. Under the 8-article rule, the foreign ministry cannot recruit Afghans with dual citizenship as ambassadors or consuls.

"More often than not, the people who have dual nationalities are more committed to their second country," the legislator remarked.

Another member of the panel, Abdul Qayyum Sajjadi, told Pajhwok Afghan News: "The dual nationality-holders, who are already on such assignments, will automatically lose their positions with the enforcement of the law."

Also approved by the assembly was an agreement on training of Afghan ground forces by Turkey. Akbari said Turkey would pay the training expenses in line with the accord.

Another agreement on economic cooperation and establishment of diplomatic links with the Dominican Republic was also approved. The Dominican Republic is a major tourist draw that attracts about four million travellers annually is ready to provide scholarships for Afghan students. (Pajhwok)