Haider al-Abbadi officially named Iraq’s new PM and most ministerial posts filled following political wrangling.
Iraq’s parliament has officially named Haider al-Abbadi the country’s new prime minister and approved most of his minister candidates.
The defence and interior minister posts were left empty after the vote. Outgoing Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki was given the largely ceremonial post of vice president.
Monday’s vote was preceded by intense political bargaining and it remained uncertain until the last minute whether Kurdish MPs would back the government.
Speaking in parliament, Abbadi pledged to resolve disputes with the country’s autonomous Kurdish region.