Iraq confirms three new Cabinet ministers but deadlock remains
Iraq’s Parliament yesterday approved three new ministers to end weeks of political deadlock, but the session ended before a vote on five more positions.
The remaining posts include the ministers of interior and defence, regarded as the most important positions to confirm before a full Cabinet can be formed.
The brief session brought to 17 the number of filled posts in Prime Minister Adel Abdul Mahdi’s Cabinet. The other 14 were approved by parliament in late October.
New Higher Education Minister Qusay Al Suheil, 53, is a member of former premier Nouri Al Maliki’s State of Law bloc.
Planning Minister Nouri Al Dulaimi, 51, is an Iraqi Islamic Party member while archaeologist and new Minister of Culture, Abdulamir Al Hamdani, 51, is backed by pro-Iran force Asaib Ahl Al Haq.
The confirmations come two days after Mr Abdul Mahdi’s controversial nominee to head the Interior Ministry returned to his former posts as the chairman of the Popular Mobilisation Forces and National Security Adviser.
Falih Al Fayadh retook his seat at a National Security Council meeting on Sunday after he was sacked from his positions by caretaker prime minister Haider Al Abadi in August for political misbehaviour.
Mr Al Fayadh has been at the centre of the deadlock surrounding Mr Abdul Mahdi’s nominees.
His nomination to run the interior ministry has the backing of the largest Iranian-aligned bloc in Parliament, which includes representatives of the Popular Mobilisation Forces.
Those forces were formed in 2014 to stop the advance of ISIS militants through Iraq.
They include several militias funded and trained by Iran.
The political bloc of populist cleric Moqtada Al Sadr is opposing Mr Al Fayadh’s appointment at the interior ministry, saying it wants to limit outside influence in politics.
Mr Al Sadr’s bloc, Saeroon, won the largest share of seats in parliamentary elections last May. The interior ministry has been under the control of ministers close to Iran since 2010.
Parliament is scheduled to meet again tomorrow to discuss the remaining Cabinet vacancies.