Iraq's deputy speaker said Monday that lawmakers have approved three cabinet ministers whose posts have been vacant since the formation of Prime Minister Adel Abdul Mahdi's government in October.
Hassan al-Kaabi told The Associated Press that the parliament approved Najah al-Shammari for defense minister, Yassin al-Yassiri as interior minister and Farouq Amin Othman for the post of justice minister. The three were sworn in on Monday.
Kaabi said the appointment of the education minister was postponed after the nominee for the portfolio failed to get enough votes.
In October, Iraq's parliament voted to confirm Abdul Mahdi's new government while leaving the four cabinet posts unfilled, underscoring the rivalry among Iraqi politicians.
Abdul Mahdi had earlier proposed others for the posts but his proposals were rejected by other groups until consensus on the new names was reached.
