Iraqi lawmakers approve new government; al-Maliki becomes VP
BAGHDAD (CNN) -- Iraqi lawmakers approved a new government Monday and tapped former Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki as one of the country's vice presidents.
Several key Cabinet posts remain vacant.
Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi vowed to have nominations for the defense and interior minister posts ready to present to Parliament within a week.
Monday's Parliament vote, just a day before a constitutional deadline, comes as Iraq faces political turmoil and battles a surge of Islamist militants.