US Secretary of State John Kerry on Saturday congratulated Iraq after lawmakers there finally approved new defence and interior ministers, following weeks of delay."We had a very positive step forward in Iraq today," Kerry said. "These were critical positions to be filled, in order to assist with the organising effort with respect to (the ISIS group). So we're very pleased."
Khaled Al Obaidi of the Iraqi parliament's Sunni Itihad Al Quwa Al Wataniyah bloc was voted defence minister, and Mohammed Al Ghabban of the Shia Badr bloc was picked for the interior post.
"We congratulate Prime Minister Abadi and we look forward to working with them as we continue to grow the coalition and move forward," Kerry said.
