World Bulletin / News Desk 

After months of delay, Afghan President Ashraf Ghani has nominated a potential defense minister to fill the crucial last remaining position in his cabinet on Thursday.

Masoom Stanikzai, 57, will still need parliament's approval to take up the role, something that was denied to Ghani's earlier appointment to the position, which had only been made after 100 days of wrangling with power-sharing partner Abdullah Abdullah.

Stanakzai, a former telecommunications minister and security advisor to former President Hamid Karzai, has twice survived attempts on his life from the Taliban.

The crucial appointment comes as Afghanistan faces a renewed battle with the Taliban who last month announced their spring fighting season and have laid siege to various parts of the country.