Members of the Iraqi parliament on Thursday approved a new government headed by businessman Ali al-Zaidi, who takes over as prime minister after months of stalemate and growing pressure from the US, AFP reported.
- The Iraqi parliament approved a new government led by businessman Ali al-Zaydí.
- Ali al-Zaydí’s cabinet is to have 23 ministers, fourteen of them have been approved so far.
- The parliamentary session was not broadcast live, so the government program remains unknown to the public.
- The new government is supposed to deal with the American demand to disarm armed groups supported by Iran.
- Forty-year-old Ali al-Zaydí is the youngest Iraqi prime minister in history.
A new but still incomplete government
In Iraq, the government gains confidence if the parliament approves a majority of ministerial candidates. Zaydi’s government is expected to have 23 ministers, but its line-up remains incomplete as key political parties are still negotiating several nominations.
State news agency INA said an “absolute majority” of MPs approved the 14 ministerial nominations put to a vote.
During the parliament session, Zaidí presented his government program. However, the public does not yet know the plans of the new government, because the parliament session was not broadcast live.
US demands to disarm groups supported by Iran
According to the AP, the new Iraqi cabinet is expected to address Washington’s long-standing demand that Baghdad disarm Iran-backed groups that the US designates as terrorist organizations.
After the United States and Israel attacked Iran on February 28, these groups launched attacks on American facilities in Iraq. Those attacks – there were about 600 recorded – stopped on April 8 after the conclusion of a fragile cease-fire between the US and Iran.
The youngest prime minister in the country’s history
At the age of 40, Zaidí is the youngest Iraqi prime minister. He received the mandate to form the government on April 27. His nomination comes after months of gridlock that arose when the United States, a key power player in Iraqi politics, vetoed the previous favorite, former Prime Minister Nouri Maliki.
Zaydi has the support of the Coordination Framework – a ruling alliance of influential Shiite groups with various ties to Iran.
AFP reminded that Iraq has long been trying to balance relations with its two allies – neighboring Iran and the United States.
