Iraq parliament approves eight new ministers

BAGHDAD: Iraq's parliament approved eight new ministers on Sunday, filling some crucial posts in the premier's new cabinet but still leaving three sensitive security portfolios and the planning ministry vacant.

Shia Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki, who began a second four-year term in December after striking a power-sharing deal with rival Sunni and Kurdish blocs following a March inconclusive election, appeared before parliament with a list of three cabinet ministers and five state ministers.

The crucial electricity ministry, tasked with reviving services in the face of growing protests decrying the long daily power cuts, was retained by the majority-Sunni Iraqiya bloc.

Municipalities and Public Works meanwhile, went to Maliki's own National Alliance while a Kurdish bloc was given control of the trade ministry.

The Shia National Alliance, which also won 159 of the 325 seats in parliament, controls the lion's share of the top government positions: the premiership, deputy prime minister and 19 ministries, including the crucial oil ministry.

The Sunni-dominated Iraqiya, which won 91 seats in parliament, now has a deputy ministerial position, and 11 ministers and state ministers, including the ministries of finance and electricity.

The Kurdish bloc, with 57 parliamentary seats, retains a deputy premiership and controls six ministries, including foreign affairs.

The small Wasat coalition, which is made of Shias and Sunnis and has 10 legislative seats, was allocated two ministries, and a Christian got the environment ministry.

With all rivalries still not settled, candidates for the sensitive ministries of defence, national security, planning and the interior still have not been named.

Parliament also was expected to vote on three vice presidents -- two Shias and a Sunni under the power sharing deal -- but that was postponed.

Only two women feature in top positions, one as secretary of state for women's affairs, and another without portfolio, opposed to four women in the previous cabinet.

Once the four remaining portfolios have been filled, and the position of prime minister and deputy ministers are counted, Iraq will have 47 ministers and state ministers, the largest number in its history, according to analysts.