DHAKA: Iraqi MPs have approved new defence and interior ministers, completing a unity government that is battling the spread of Islamic State militants.

Mohammed Salem al-Ghabban, a Shia, was appointed interior minister, while Khaled al-Obeidi, a Sunni, was confirmed as defence minister, reports the BBC.

IS controls large parts of the country, and has been making gains despite US-led coalition airstrikes.

On Friday, a curfew was imposed in the city of Ramadi amid fierce fighting.

The vote by Iraqi MPs will be a big relief both inside and outside Iraq after weeks of wrangling, says BBC Arab affairs editor Sebastian Usher.

A more inclusive cabinet is seen as an essential first step in countering IS fighters, particularly among Iraq’s Sunni minority, our correspondent adds.

Iraq prime minister Haidar al-Abadi had pledged to fill the posts in September, but his previous nominations were rejected.

The previous prime minister Nouri al-Maliki was forced to resign in August, as the Sunni Arab and Kurdish communities accused his administration of pursuing sectarian policies.

A new unity government was sworn in on 8 September, headed by Abadi, with Sunni and Kurdish deputy prime ministers.

BDST: 2125 HRS, OCT 18, 2014