Karzai Swears In Afghan Cabinet

President Hamid Karzai swore in his new Cabinet on Monday, having won over a candidate who threatened to start an opposition party but without having filled the women’s affairs post.

Younis Qanooni, the interior minister in the former interim government, accepted jobs as education minister and as special security advisor to Karzai. On Sunday, Qanooni had said he was considering forming a political party to oppose Karzai, but he changed his mind at the urging of supporters.

Karzai has not filled the position of women’s affairs minister since the outgoing head of the ministry, Sima Simar, opted for the lower-profile job of human rights commissioner. The outspoken Simar has been sharply criticized by many in the religious establishment who believe women have no place in public affairs.

Karzai said he planned to offer the post to Mahboba Aoqoqmal, deputy chair of this month’s Afghan grand council, or loya jirga.

The ministers took their oaths in the tree-shaded courtyard of the presidential palace in Kabul, the capital. Four guards in military dress stood by as the national anthem was played.

The ministers, who will earn an average of $100 a month, sat on chairs around a table perched on Afghan carpets. Most wore Western dress. Karzai arrived later, wearing a gray lambskin hat and black coat, and took a seat at the head of the table.

“I am going to be very honest with all the promises I made to the Afghan people,” he said. “I’m going to do my best for my people and my homeland.”

The new government will hold power for 18 months, until elections are held.