NEW : Monday 's Parliament vote , just a day before a constitutional deadline , comes as Iraq faces political turmoil and battles a surge of Islamist militants from ISIS . U.N. Secretary-General 's spokesman hails `` positive step towards political stability '' in Syria. Parliament approves a new government , but several key Cabinet posts are vacant . Kerry : New Iraqi government is `` unquestionably a major milestone ''
NEW : U.N. Secretary-General 's spokesman hails `` positive step towards political stability '' in Syria. Parliament approves a new government , but several key Cabinet posts are vacant . Kerry : New Iraqi government is `` unquestionably a major milestone ''