Iraq’s parliament has approved a new government including all major factions, ending nine months of deadlock after inconclusive elections. MPs voted one-by-one for the ministerial candidates nominated by Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki, a Shia, who was reappointed for a second term. Hussein al-Shahristani is now deputy PM for energy, while Sunni Deputy PM Rafi al-Issawi becomes Finance Minister. But the Ministries of Interior, Defence and National Security were left vacant.