BAGHDAD - Iraq's parliament approved the appointment on Monday of a new defense minister, Erfan al-Hiyali, and a new interior minister, Qasim al-Araji, state TV said. Hiyali, a Sunni, and Araji, a Shi'ite, are filling positions left vacant last year. Hiyali replaces Khaled al-Obeidi, who was sacked by parliament, while Araji replaces Mohammed al-Ghabban, who resigned after a massive truck bomb in central Baghdad in July.
