KABUL (PAN): The NATO secretary-general has welcomed the progress made in forming a government in crisis-torn Afghanistan, almost a month after President Karzai was sworn in for a second term. The long-awaited list of cabinet nominees was formally presented on Saturday to the Wolesi Jirga, or lower house of parliament, for approval. There have been no changes in current key ministerial posts. Anders Fogh Rasmussen said: "I welcome the next step in the formation of the new Afghan government, the nomination by President Karzai of a partial list of candidates for cabinet positions." While sharing President Karzai's view that the Afghan people deserve an effective government characterised by integrity and professionalism, the NATO chief hailed his stated commitment to fighting corruption. A statement from the NATO headquarters in Brussels said the cabinet list was seen as a major test of Karzai's pledge to change course. The president has seen his popularity in the West decline over his inability to root out corruption and bring peace to Afghanistan eight years after the fall of the Taliban. mud/pr