Iraqi parliament swears in key ministers

Iraq’s parliament approved new ministers of defence, interior and national security today, ending a three week stalemate among Iraq’s sectarian and ethnic parties over the crucial posts.

The three men were sworn in after prime minister Nouri Maliki announced the death of Jordanian-born terrorist mastermind Abu Musab al-Zarqawi.

The new defence minister is Iraqi Army Gen. Abdul-Qadre Mohammed Jassim, a Sunni Arab, and Shiites Jawad al-Bolani for interior and Sherwan al-Waili for national security.

The posts are considered crucial for Maliki’s government to implement a plan allowing Iraqi forces to take over security for the country from the US-led coalition within 18 months, opening the way for the eventual withdrawal of foreign troops.