Iraq’s prime minister-designate Adel Abdul Mehdi said on Wednesday he would present a new cabinet to parliament for approval next week.
Abdul Mehdi was named by Iraq’s new President Barham Salih last month, and has until the beginning of November to form a government. The election of Salih, a Kurd, and his nomination of Abdul Mehdi, a Shi’ite, has broken months of political deadlock
in Iraq after an inconclusive May election.
“The prime minister-designate... is carrying out the necessary communications with the head of parliament and the blocs to set a day” to present the cabinet, his office said in a statement on Facebook and Twitter.
Since a US invasion toppled Saddam Hussein in 2003, the Iraqi presidency has been traditionally held by a Kurd, the premiership by a Shi’ite Arab and the parliamentary speaker has been a Sunni Arab.
Abdul Mehdi, a former vice president, oil minister and finance minister, faces the tasks of rebuilding much of the country after war with ISIS extremist group, healing ethnic and sectarian tensions, and balancing foreign relations with Iraq’s two major allies - Iran and its arch-foe the United States.
-
US diplomat heads to Iraq for talks with newly elected leaders
US State Department number two John Sullivan departs Sunday for Iraq to meet with the country’s new leaders, the highest level administration ... Middle East -
Muqtada al-Sadr to Iraq’s Sunnis: Stay away from dagger of treason
In a statement directed at the Iraqi Sunnis and Sunni politicians, Sadrist movement leader Muqtada al-Sadr said that public interests should precede ... Middle East -
Iraq’s PM-designate in hot water after meeting Iranian envoy
Iraq’s Prime Minister-Designate Adel Abdul-Mahdi received Iran’s Ambassador to Baghdad Iraj Masjedi on Tuesday, 24 hours after Abdul-Mahdi ... Middle East -
Iraqi politicians can ‘apply online’ for candidacy in new government
The office of Iraqi Prime Minister-designate Adel Abdul Mehdi opened the doors for politicians to “apply online” with their application to ... Middle East