BAGHDAD, Dec. 21 (UPI) -- After nine months of stalemate, the Iraqi Parliament approved a unity government that leaves Nouri al-Maliki as prime minister.
Former Prime Minister Ayad Allawi, whose coalition won the largest number of votes in the election in March but had only a small plurality, sealed the deal before the vote, The Washington Post reported. Allawi argued for months that he should be allowed to form a new government.
In his announcement of support, Allawi said it is time to "forget about the past."
Eleven Cabinet positions have not been filled. They include the ministers of defense and the interior, two of the most important in a country still dealing with violence.
Eight of the 31 Cabinet posts went to followers of the radical Shiite cleric Moqtada Sadr, who played a critical part in Maliki's victory. Sadr himself did not take a high position in the government.
The government includes representatives of the three major groups in Iraq, Shiites, Sunnis and Kurds.
