Iraq appoints security ministers

BAGHDAD, Iraq (CNN) -- The Iraqi parliament has approved the prime minister's nominations for the three key security posts in the new Cabinet, ending a stalemate among politicians over the filling of these positions.

Lawmakers Tuesday approved Jawad Bolani, a Shiite, for interior minister; Gen. Abdel Qader Jassim, a Sunni who has been Iraq's ground forces commander, for defense minister; and Shirwan al-Waili, a Shiite, for minister of state for national security,

They had been nominated by Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki and presented to the Council of Representatives moments after he presided over another key development -- the announcement of the killing of insurgent leader Abu Musab al-Zarqawi's in a coalition airstrike near Baquba.

Jassim gained 142 out of 198 votes. Bolani received 182 of 198. A-Waili got 160 of 198.

While the new Cabinet was put together a few weeks ago, politicians still couldn't agree on who should fill the posts of interior minister, defense minister and minister of state for national security.

The filling of the jobs are considered all important for the government to develop its police and armed forces and restore law and order. A coalition air strike that killed al-Zarqawi is thought to be an important step toward defeating the insurgency.
CNN

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