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Iraqi PM names candidates for two ministries in his cabinet

Iraqi PM names candidates for two ministries in his cabinet
Iraqi PM names candidates for two ministries in his cabinet

2019-01-21 00:00:00 - Source: kurdistan 24

ERBIL (Kurdistan 24) – Iraqi Prime Minister Adil Abdul-Mahdi has named his candidates for the ministerial posts of education and justice, an official document signed by the PM showed on Monday.

“After a series of consultations with the political blocs, I send you two new candidates for the Ministries of Education and Justice asking you to present them to the House of Representatives to gain [their] confidence” of lawmakers, the document read.

The PM has named Safana al-Hamdani to take the Minister of Education role and the Kirkuk-born Judge Arkan Bibani for Justice Minister.

If lawmakers give their votes of confidence for these two candidates, only two other ministries will remain vacant, namely, those of defense and interior.

It remains unclear when a vote will be held.

Until recently, only three ministries had remained to be voted on. However, in late December, newly-appointed education minister Shaima’ al-Hayali turned in her resignation after allegations her elder brother has ties with the Islamic State arose on social media.

Abdul-Mahdi’s move indicates he accepted Hayali’s resignation.

An ongoing dispute between the two leading parliamentary blocs on the security ministerial portfolios highlight the difficulties Abdul-Mahdi faces as he attempts to form his now over three-month-old government.

The PM has said the continued delays in the cabinet formation have “hindered the ability of the government to implement the agenda” of the PM “in accordance with his ambitious schedule.”

Editing by Karzan Sulaivany





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