The World : Afghan Rebel Chief Quits

Yunis Khalis, head of the seven-party Afghan guerrilla alliance fighting the Soviet-backed regime in Afghanistan, resigned the position. A statement issued in Pakistan, where the Muslim guerrillas are based, cited health reasons. But the resignation of Khalis, 69, an Islamic fundamentalist, came at the end of a week that exposed deep differences among moderates and fundamentalists over the future of Afghanistan, including the nature of a transitional regime when Soviet troops withdraw. That issue is one of two that have stalled U.N.-mediated talks in Geneva over an Afghan settlement.