Iraq parliament selects US-backed candidate for prime minister
Source: The Hill
Iraq’s parliament selected Mustafa Khadmini, a former intelligence chief reportedly backed by America, as the country’s new prime minister.
“My cabinet has earned parliament’s support and we will work to earn the trust and support of the Iraqi people,” Khadimi tweeted Wednesday. “I am grateful to those who worked with us to form the government. I urge all political actors to come together around a national program to serve Iraq's interests.”
Khadimi is the nation's first real prime minister since the last one resigned in November.
Khadimi has strong ties to the Americans was seen as acceptable to Iran, the Times noted. The last prime minister, Adel Abdul Mahdi, formally resigned in November and became a caretaker amid anti-government protests. Khadimi’s pledge to try and work with “all political actors” would mark a switch from the government’s previous efforts to at times use military force and at other times ignore protestors.
Read more: https://thehill.com/policy/international/middle-east-north-africa/496516-iraq-parliament-selects-us-backed-candidate-for