The Iraqi parliament has unanimously approved a new government, with incumbent Nouri al-Maliki as prime minister.
Parliament approved 29 of the 42 Cabinet ministers on Tuesday, nine months after inconclusive March elections that had kept the county in a political stalemate.
“Acting ministers” will fill the13 remaining Cabinet posts until they are approved by parliament.
Mr. Maliki submitted his list of Cabinet ministers late Monday, but lawmakers postponed a vote on the list after some parliament members complained about the “acting ministers.”
Mr. Maliki is to serve as acting minister for the posts of interior, defense and national security until nominees are designated.
Under the constitution, the prime minister had 30 days in which to name a Cabinet after being asked to form a government by Iraqi President Jalal Talabani.
Mr. Talabani's request followed a power-sharing deal among Iraq's Shi'ite, Kurdish and Sunni political leaders that put Mr. Maliki, a Shi'ite, on track for a second term as prime minister.
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