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BAGHDAD – Iraq's Parliament has confirmed Prime Minister Adel Abdul Mahdi's new cabinet.
The legislature voted early on Thursday to confirm 14 of Mr. Abdul Mahdi's 22 cabinet nominees, giving him the services he needs to convene his government. But the body failed to vote on important appointments, including ones for the ministers of defense, justice and interior. Those portfolios will be held by the prime minister until later date.
Mr. Abdul Mahdi and the 14 confirmed ministers were sworn in immediately after the vote.
Mr. Abdul Mahdi is a Vice President who has previously served as Minister of Finance and Minister of Finance. He was named Prime Minister and had 30 days to form a new government or lose his appointment.
The new prime minister is widely seen as a capable technocrat. He is unaffiliated with any party and has a reputation for secularism. The choices for the new Iraqi leadership suggest that the country could finally be drawn from the party and party-based system that has driven its politics and fomented bloodshed since the American invasion in 2003.
The United States, which has been competing for influence in Iraq since the American-led invasion in 2003, analysts expect no big changes. The new leadership appears to be acceptable to both countries, analysts said.
