Abdul-Mahdi sworn in as Iraqi PM; 14 ministers approved

By Ibrahim Saleh

BAGHDAD (AA) – Adil Abdul-Mahdi was sworn in as Iraq’s new prime minister late Wednesday after parliament approved most of his proposed cabinet lineup.

Only 14 of Abdul-Mahdi’s 22 cabinet nominees, however, were granted confidence by a majority of lawmakers during the session.

Nominees approved during Wednesday’s voting session -- which went on past midnight -- include candidates for the petroleum, finance, foreign affairs and labor portfolios.

Parliament will convene again on Nov. 6 when MPs will vote on the eight remaining nominees.

Sources close to the government-formation process told Anadolu Agency that certain political blocs were pressuring Abdul-Mahdi -- who enjoys the support of influential Shia cleric Ali al-Sistani -- for more representation in the incoming cabinet.

Earlier this month, Barham Salih, Iraq’s newly-elected president, tasked Abdul-Mahdi with drawing up a new government.

Abdul-Mahdi served as Iraq’s petroleum minister from 2014 to 2016.