Karzai confirms will open parliament on Wednesday

Afghan President Hamid Karzai on Monday confirmed he would inaugurate parliament on Wednesday, saying he had Supreme Court endorsement to go ahead on the new date, agreed with lawmakers after days of talks.

Afghanistan has been plunged into political turmoil by a standoff between members of parliament and Karzai over when the new assembly should open, after he last week ordered another month's delay to allow more time for fraud probes. (Reuters)