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Karzai cabinet nominees rejected Karzai cabinet nominees rejected
(about 1 hour later)
The Afghan parliament has turned down 17 out of President Hamid Karzai's 24 nominees for his new Cabinet.The Afghan parliament has turned down 17 out of President Hamid Karzai's 24 nominees for his new Cabinet.
Energy minister nominee Ismail Khan, a former warlord, was among the rejected.Energy minister nominee Ismail Khan, a former warlord, was among the rejected.
Nominees for justice, health, commerce, economy and women's affairs were among others rejected, but Defence Minister Abdul Rahim Wardak was re-appointed.Nominees for justice, health, commerce, economy and women's affairs were among others rejected, but Defence Minister Abdul Rahim Wardak was re-appointed.
The BBC's Kabul correspondent says the results complicate Mr Karzai's efforts to repay political favours with Cabinet posts without offending parliament.The BBC's Kabul correspondent says the results complicate Mr Karzai's efforts to repay political favours with Cabinet posts without offending parliament.
He also needs to satisfy international donors who have threaten to withhold funding for any ministry run by a corrupt politician, the BBC's Peter Greste adds.He also needs to satisfy international donors who have threaten to withhold funding for any ministry run by a corrupt politician, the BBC's Peter Greste adds.
Western officials have repeatedly emphasised that tackling corruption is key to stabilising the country, following the president's controversial re-election last year.Western officials have repeatedly emphasised that tackling corruption is key to stabilising the country, following the president's controversial re-election last year.
I think, unfortunately, that the criteria [for Cabinet posts] were either ethnicity or bribery or money Fawzia KufiAfghan MPI think, unfortunately, that the criteria [for Cabinet posts] were either ethnicity or bribery or money Fawzia KufiAfghan MP
The vote is one of the few occasions when parliamentarians have genuine power to hold the executive to account, analysts say.The vote is one of the few occasions when parliamentarians have genuine power to hold the executive to account, analysts say.
Many nominees were criticised as having been picked for reasons other than their competency.Many nominees were criticised as having been picked for reasons other than their competency.
"I think, unfortunately, that the criteria were either ethnicity or bribery or money," MP Fawzia Kufi said, in remarks quoted by AP news agency."I think, unfortunately, that the criteria were either ethnicity or bribery or money," MP Fawzia Kufi said, in remarks quoted by AP news agency.
'Slap''Slap'
Women's Affairs Minister Husn Bano Ghazanfar - the only female in the Cabinet - was among those who failed to win approval in Saturday's secret ballot of more than 200 MPs.Women's Affairs Minister Husn Bano Ghazanfar - the only female in the Cabinet - was among those who failed to win approval in Saturday's secret ballot of more than 200 MPs.
OUT OF OFFICE Ismail Khan, Energy and Water MinisterHusn Bano Ghazanfar, Women's MinisterGeneral Khodaidad, Anti-narcotics MinisterSayed Mohammad Amin Fatimi, Health MinisterMohammad Sarwar Danish, Justice MinisterWahidullah Shahrani, Commerce MinisterAmir Zai Sangeen, Telecommunications Minister
Mr Khan, a Soviet-era guerrilla leader and anti-Taliban commander who was also energy minister in the last Cabinet, was one of the most prominent nominees to be rejected.Mr Khan, a Soviet-era guerrilla leader and anti-Taliban commander who was also energy minister in the last Cabinet, was one of the most prominent nominees to be rejected.
President Karzai has been under pressure over corruption
Accused of human rights abuses and corruption, he is also unpopular with some because of his role as a warlord in western Herat province during Afghanistan's civil war.Accused of human rights abuses and corruption, he is also unpopular with some because of his role as a warlord in western Herat province during Afghanistan's civil war.
No-one has been nominated foreign minister, and the post is not expected to be filled until an international conference on Afghanistan in London later this month.No-one has been nominated foreign minister, and the post is not expected to be filled until an international conference on Afghanistan in London later this month.
Analysts say Mr Karzai presented his Cabinet to parliament two weeks ago, hoping to finalise his team before the conference.Analysts say Mr Karzai presented his Cabinet to parliament two weeks ago, hoping to finalise his team before the conference.
But only seven posts were confirmed. They include - along with defence - that of Interior Minister Hanif Atmar.But only seven posts were confirmed. They include - along with defence - that of Interior Minister Hanif Atmar.
Our correspondent says few had anticipated a slap of this scale for the president.Our correspondent says few had anticipated a slap of this scale for the president.
US President Barack Obama announced last month he would send 30,000 new US troops to Afghanistan, with a view to beating the Taliban.US President Barack Obama announced last month he would send 30,000 new US troops to Afghanistan, with a view to beating the Taliban.
Nato countries have followed up by pledging another 7,000 troops so far.Nato countries have followed up by pledging another 7,000 troops so far.
Mr Obama said he wants to begin handing over to Afghan security forces by mid-2011.Mr Obama said he wants to begin handing over to Afghan security forces by mid-2011.
President Karzai was returned for a second five-year term after last August's election, despite investigators discovering more than a quarter of votes were fraudulent.President Karzai was returned for a second five-year term after last August's election, despite investigators discovering more than a quarter of votes were fraudulent.