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Karzai names cabinet candidates Karzai names cabinet candidates
(20 minutes later)
Afghan President Hamid Karzai has presented parliament with a new list of nominees for cabinet posts. Afghan President Hamid Karzai has presented parliament with a 16-strong list of nominees for cabinet posts.
The proposals come a week after 17 of his initial 24 nominees were rejected, dealing him a major blow.The proposals come a week after 17 of his initial 24 nominees were rejected, dealing him a major blow.
The second round of nominees includes the post of foreign minister, which was left unfilled on the last vote. Zalmay Rasul, Mr Karzai's security advisor, was named as the nominee for foreign minister, a post left vacant in the first round of voting.
Mr Karzai is hoping to finalise his cabinet before an international conference on Afghanistan in London later this month. Mr Karzai hopes to finalise his cabinet before an international conference on Afghanistan in London later this month.
Second Vice-President Karim Khalili read out the list of 16 nominees to parliament.
"I request that all the lawmakers think about the national interest of the country, the current situation of the country and the desires of the Afghan people and make a good decision," said Mr Khalili.
Two of the 18 posts have been left vacant. None of the nominees had been included in Mr Karzai's initial selection.
The vacant posts were that of the minister for communications and for water and energy.
Mr Khalili said those posts would be announced soon, AP reported.
The more than 200 members of parliament will question each of the nominees, a process which is expected to take several days, before voting in a secret ballot.The more than 200 members of parliament will question each of the nominees, a process which is expected to take several days, before voting in a secret ballot.
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.
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.
Recess suspendedRecess suspended
The rejection of most of Mr Karzai's first nominees on 2 January effectively left Afghanistan without a fully functioning government, just weeks before the president is due to attend a donor conference in London on 28 January.The rejection of most of Mr Karzai's first nominees on 2 January effectively left Afghanistan without a fully functioning government, just weeks before the president is due to attend a donor conference in London on 28 January.
Mr Karzai is facing international pressure to appoint ministers
Only seven posts were approved, including Interior Minister Hanif Atmar and Defence Minister Abdul Rahim Wardak, who was re-appointed.Only seven posts were approved, including Interior Minister Hanif Atmar and Defence Minister Abdul Rahim Wardak, who was re-appointed.
Women's Affairs Minister Husn Bano Ghazanfar - the only woman in the cabinet - was among those who failed to win approval.Women's Affairs Minister Husn Bano Ghazanfar - the only woman in the cabinet - was among those who failed to win approval.
Energy minister nominee Ismail 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.Energy minister nominee Ismail 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.
On Monday, Mr Karzai ordered a six-week parliamentary recess to be suspended until the ministers were appointed.On Monday, Mr Karzai ordered a six-week parliamentary recess to be suspended until the ministers were appointed.
The United Nations has said international funding for this year's parliamentary elections will depend on reform of the country's election institutions.The United Nations has said international funding for this year's parliamentary elections will depend on reform of the country's election institutions.
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 wanted to begin handing over to Afghan security forces by mid-2011.Mr Obama said he wanted to begin handing over to Afghan security forces by mid-2011.
Mr 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.Mr 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.