Afghan President Ashraf Ghani has inaugurated a new session of parliament.
In his opening address on March 7, the president praised the country's security forces. He said insurgents who had tried to take over several Afghan provinces had been defeated by soldiers and police officers.
Ghani said he will soon introduce more cabinet nominees to parliament for their approval. Lawmakers have already rejected some of the president's nominees for the 25 cabinet positions on grounds they held dual citizenship or had incomplete education documents.
AP reports the lack of ministers has caused problems throughout Ghani's government, slowing its work and upsetting many in the country. Ghani has pledged to resolve the impasse.