Iraq agrees new Government

Iraqi MPs today unanimously approved a new government to be headed by incumbent Shiite Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki, ending nine months of political deadlock.

They approved 29 ministers including Mr al-Maliki to form the new government. The remainder of the 42-member cabinet is made up of acting ministers who will replaced at a later date because of ongoing disputes between coalition partners.

"The most difficult task in the world is forming a national unity government in a country where there is a diversity of ethnic, sectarian and political backgrounds," Mr al-Maliki said speaking before the vote.

The new cabinet members were immediately sworn in following the nationally televised vote.

Iraqis voted on March 7 but no one group won a majority in the 325-member parliament, leading to nine months of political jockeying to form the new government.

Although Mr al-Maliki's coalition came a close second to a Sunni-backed coalition led by former prime minister Ayad Allawi, it was Mr al-Maliki who was able to eventually patch together the necessary support needed to keep his office.

The new government includes members of all of Iraq's major political and sectarian factions, including Shiites, Sunnis and Kurds.

Mr Al-Maliki alluded to the challenges in putting together a unity government in such a fractured political system where until just recently political parties were waging their battles in the streets with guns instead of in the halls of parliament.

The ministries still to be decided include the critical defence, interior and national security posts.

Those positions are closely watched in Iraq for any sign that they are being abused by one side or another across the sectarian divide as the US military prepares to withdraw from Iraq entirely in a year's time.