Iraq assembly approves line-up of unity govt

BAGHDAD, May 20 : Iraq's parliament today approved the line-up of a government of national unity proposed by Prime Minister-designate Nuri al-Maliki.

Maliki, a Shi'ite Islamist, read out his programme to the 275-seat assembly after its approval of his cabinet. Parliament was later due to vote on the programme.

The government is a broad coalition of majority Shi'ites, minority Sunni Arabs and Kurds with a clear majority in the legislature. The United States hopes it can quell violence plaguing Iraq three years after Saddam Hussein's ouster once political stability has been established.

Earlier, some members of the largest Sunni political bloc in parliament staged a walkout after Maliki read out his proposed cabinet. Reflecting internal dispute in the Accordance Front, top Sunni leaders remained in the parliament.

Reuters