KATHMANDU -- Nepal's King Gyanendra Monday expanded the cabinet by appointing 13 new ministers, state-run radio announced. The move was made on the recommendation of Prime Minister Lokendra Bahadur Chand, who was appointed by the king in October after he sacked the former premier, Sher Bahadur Deuba, calling him "incompetent."

The nine ministers who were already in the cabinet were retained, including Foreign Minister Narendra Bikram Shah, Finance Minister Badri Prasad Shrestha and Home Minister Dharma Bahadur Thapa.

Chand, a staunch royalist, continues to hold the portfolios of defense and royal palace affairs, AFP reported.

None of the new appointees belong to the six parties who were represented in Parliament, which is currently dissolved. They have refused to participate in the Chand government, saying it was formed in violation of the Constitution.

At the same time as sacking Deuba, the king also postponed indefinitely elections that were due to take place in November.

Chand's government said earlier this month that parliamentary elections might be held in April 2003 if political parties cooperate with the government.