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.