KATHMANDU: President Bidyadevi Bhandari has designated Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba to assume the portfolio of Ministry of Defense.

The designation was made on the recommendation of the Council of Ministers, after Defense Minister Dr. Minendra Rijal resigned from the post in accordance with Article 77 of the Constitution.

Dr. Rijal tendered his resignation on moral grounds after losing the election he contested for the post of General Secretary of the ruling Nepali Congress party, in the recently held 14th general convention of the party.