Iraq secured a second crucial victory in the battle against the insurgency today with the appointment of ministers to three key security posts.

Minutes after announcing the death of al-Qaeda leader Abu Musab al-Zarqawi, Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki finally completed the formation of his Cabinet, endorsed by parliament after weeks of sectarian bickering.

The three posts are critical if Iraq is to combat the daily bloodshed: the defence minister will run the army, the interior minister will lead the national police and the national security minister will advise the prime minister on security issues.

The interior ministry was the most controversial appointment. Sunni Muslims had accused the previous incumbent, a Shia, of turning a blind eye to death squads operating inside the ministry.

The new interior minister, Jawad al-Bolani, is also Shia but, as an independent member of the dominant Shia United Iraqi Alliance, is considered neutral. Previously unknown in political circles, he said he had worked as an engineer in the Iraqi air force until 1999.

The new defence minister, Iraqi Army General Abdul-Qader Mohammed Jassim al-Mifarji, is a Sunni who is not affiliated

with any party. He said that he was forced out of the military and Saddam’s Ba'ath party in 1991 after criticising the invasion of Kuwait and given a seven-year prison term.

The new national security minister, Sherwan al-Waili is also a Shia, but is considered neutral.

All three appointees made this the focus of their speeches as they accepted their new positions.

"I promise that the Interior Ministry will be neutral, independent and will not be under the influence of anyone," said Mr al-Bolani said after he was endorsed. "The Interior Ministry will preserve Iraqi blood."

Mr Jassim made a similar pledge. "I do not carry any sectarian title. I’m here for all Iraqis, not for one sect," he told parliament.

The ministers now face the daunting task of bringing security to Iraq and building a new army that can prevent a slide to civil war as US and British forces prepare to withdraw.

Their appointments were delayed because of deadlock over who should hold such important posts in Mr al-Maliki's government, which is committed to representing Iraq's sectarian differences.

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