Baghdad  - Iraq's main Sunni political bloc returned on Saturday to the Shiite-led coalition government after parliament approved its six ministerial nominees.

The Iraqi Accord Front with 40 seats in the 275-seat parliament had withdrawn its ministers from cabinet last August in protest at the government's failure to meet its demand for a bigger say in political and security decisions.

The Iraqi parliament Saturday approved 10 ministerial nominees, including five ministers and a deputy premier from the Sunni bloc and four from the Shiite United Iraqi Alliance that heads the coalition.

The bloc was given the culture, higher education, communications and women's affairs portfolios as well as a state minister for foreign affairs.

The return of the Iraqi Accord Front to politics is seen as a key step to boost reconciliation among Iraq's sectarian and ethnic groups. (dpa)