Safar Abiyev whose dismissal has been forecasted for over a year was not included into Azerbaijan’s new Cabinet of Ministers.

The now ex-Defense Minister was replaced on his post by Colonel-General Zakir Hasanov.

Foreign Minister Elmar Mammadyarov retained his post, as did Prime Minister Artur Rasizadeh, Azeri media reported.

Azerbaijani government sent in a resignation following Ilham Aliyev's reelection to third presidential term on October 9.