Afghan president praises country's security forces as he inaugurates new session of parliament

Afghan President Ashraf Ghani, center, inspects a guard of honor during a ceremony to inaugurate a new session of parliament at the parliament house in Kabul, Afghanistan, Saturday, March, 7, 2015. Ghani praised the country's security forces in his speech Saturday as parliament reconvened. (AP Photo/Rahmat Gul, Pool) (The Associated Press)

Afghan President Ashraf Ghani, center, inspects a guard of honor during a ceremony to inaugurate a new session of parliament at the parliament house in Kabul, Afghanistan, Saturday, March, 7, 2015. Ghani praised the country's security forces in his speech Saturday as parliament reconvened. (AP Photo/Rahmat Gul, Pool) (The Associated Press)

Afghan President Ashraf Ghani, center, kisses a flag as he inspects a guard of honor during a ceremony to inaugurate a new session of parliament at the parliament house in Kabul, Afghanistan, Saturday, March, 7, 2015. Ghani praised the country's security forces in his speech Saturday as parliament reconvened. (AP Photo/Rahmat Gul, Pool) (The Associated Press)

Afghan President Ashraf Ghani has inaugurated a new session of parliament, praising the country's security forces in his speech.

Ghani made an address Saturday as parliament reconvened. He said insurgents who tried to take over several Afghan provinces had been defeated by soldiers and police officers.

Ghani also said that he soon will introduce more Cabinet nominees to the parliament for their approval. Some of Ghani's nominees for the 25 Cabinet positions already have been rejected by parliament, some voted down and others because they had dual citizenship or incomplete education documents.

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 Cabinet impasse soon.