Nepal's King Gyanendra has expanded the cabinet by appointing 13 new ministers.
A palace statement today (Monday) says the decision to expand the cabinet to 22 ministers was made after consulting with new Prime Minister Lokendra Bahadur Chand.
The new ministers are reportedly not members of any of the parties that were represented in the now dissolved parliament.
King Gyanendra appointed Mr. Chand as prime minister last month after firing the elected government, including Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba. Mr. Deuba had announced a decision to delay early elections scheduled for this month. He made the decision for security reasons.
The parties fired by the king have refused to take part in the new government, saying it was formed in violation of the constitution.
Nepal is a constitutional monarchy, which Maoist rebels are fighting to overthrow.