The Afghanistan President Hamid Karzai has said rejection of ministerial nominees by lower house of Parliament is a setback but it will be accepted as it shows the strength of democracy in the country. President's spokesman Waheed Omar said today that the President was surprised by the rejections of 17 out of 24 ministerial nominees, which was not expected but the government will fully respect the constitution and the powers delegated to Parliament.The spokesman said President will take his time to introduce new ministerial nominees and ensured that government functioning will not be hampered as caretaker ministers will continue to look after their portfolios. He said a decision will be made soon whether caretaker ministers whose names were rejected by Parliament can continue to act in their capacity. The lower house of Afghan Parliament approved the names of only seven ministers including five from the previous cabinet and two new faces. The names of 7 caretaker ministers and 10 new faces were rejected and Parliament called for new nominees against them.Parliament has gone into nearly two months recess and elections for new MPs are scheduled for May 22nd. Presidential spokesman refused to confirm whether new names for ministers will be sent before the elections.Meanwhile, Afghan troops and US Special Forces have killed 25 Taliban militants in fighting in northern province of Kunduz. Provincial governor Mohammad Omar said the clash in Mullah Qul village of the Archi district began yesterday afternoon when the joint forces conducted a search operation in the district, which was completed today.