Iraq MPs finally approve defence, interior ministers

 Iraqi lawmakers approved defence and interior ministers Saturday, an MP said, after weeks of delay as security forces battle jihadist militants who hold swathes of the country.
Khaled al-Obaidi of parliament's Sunni Arab Itihad al-Quwa al-Wataniyah bloc was voted defence minister and Mohammed al-Ghabban of the Shiite Badr bloc for the interior post, Samira al-Mussawi told AFP.
Ghabban was approved by 197 votes and Obaidi with 173, Iraqiya state television said.
MPs approved the majority of the cabinet on September 8, ushering in Haidar al-Abadi's term as premier, but he asked for another week to fill posts including the security ministries.
Abadi's original candidates were then voted down by MPs, leaving the key positions unfilled as Iraq battles to push back the Islamic State (IS) jihadist group, which has overrun large areas of the country since June.