Afghanistan's parliament has approved nominations of seven vacant Cabinet seats and replaced two nominees previously put forward by President Hamid Karzai, ending a two-year standoff over the lineup of the Cabinet.

In a statement, Mr. Karzai thanked lawmakers for a “vote of confidence” in his ministers and for carrying out their constitutional duty. He wished the confirmed ministers success in serving their country.

Seven of the nine nominees had been serving as acting ministers since parliament rejected 10 of the president's 17 nominees in January 2010, complaining they were corrupt or not qualified.

The ministers approved Monday cover the portfolios for communications and technology, health, women's affairs, energy and water, higher education, transport and aviation, urban development, rural rehabilitation and development, and public works.