BAGHDAD 

The Iraqi parliament on Monday approved Prime Minister Adil Abul-Mahdi's nominees for the defense, interior and justice portfolios.

Lawmakers confirmed Najah al-Shammari as defense minister, Yassin al-Yassiri as interior minister and Farouq Amin Othman as justice minister during a session held by the assembly.

Safana al-Hamdani, a nominee for the education ministry, however, failed to receive enough votes from lawmakers during the session.

The defense, interior and justice portfolios have been vacant since October due to differences between political parties over Abdul-Mahdi's nominees for the posts.