Iraq's parliament has approved a partial cabinet of ministers, forming Iraq's first democratically elected government in more than 50 years.

On Thursday, the 275-seat National Assembly approved, with 180 votes, the list of names put forward by Shia Prime Minister Ibrahim al-Jafari.

However, several of the 36 ministries will be occupied by acting ministers until final names are decided.

Al-Jafari will also be acting defence minister and former Pentagon favourite Ahmad Chalabi will be acting oil minister, the parliamentary speaker said.

The Interior Ministry will be headed by Bayan Jabbor, a Shia, and the Finance Ministry will be headed by Ali Abd al-Amir Allawi, also a Shia.

PHOTO CAPTION

Picture released by the U.S. Army Wednesday, April 27, 2005 shows a dust storm across the western desert of Iraq on Tuesday April 26, 2005. (AP)