DENVER -- Qwest Communications International Inc. (NYSE: Q) today announced that Afshin Mohebbi, Qwest's president and chief operating officer, will resign from the company effective December 31, 2002. Mohebbi has decided to spend more time with his family and pursue other business opportunities in the future. "Afshin's diverse knowledge of the industry and hard work will serve him well in the future and I respect his decision to leave the company at this time," said Richard C. Notebaert, Qwest chairman and CEO. "I wish him and his family the best." The company does not plan to fill the president and chief operating officer position. Mohebbi's direct reports -- Augie Cruciotti, executive vice president, network services group; Clifford S. Holtz, executive vice president, business markets group; Annette M. Jacobs, executive vice president, consumer markets group; Patricia A. Engels, executive vice president, wholesale markets group; and Teresa Taylor, senior vice president, products and pricing group; will now report directly to Notebaert. George Burnett, president and CEO, QwestDex, will report to Barry K. Allen, Qwest executive vice president and chief human resources officer. "I have had the pleasure of working with some of the greatest people in this industry here at Qwest. I am proud to have played a key role in the improvement of network service operations, and moving Qwest from a small fiber-optics network enterprise to one of the world's leading communications companies. After 20 years in the industry, I believe the timing is right for me to attend to other important matters in my life," said Mohebbi. "I wish Dick Notebaert and the rest of the Qwest team much success." Qwest Communications International Inc.