Alwaght-Iraq's parliament has officially appointed Haider al-Abadi the country's new prime minister late on Monday and approved most of his proposed cabinet. Lawmakers approved all of the candidates proposed for Iraq's new government, with the exception of a few posts, namely the defense and interior ministers which are the most sensitive cabinet posts. Mr. Abadi requested an additional week to fill and name them in the coming days.
Outgoing prime minister Nouri al-Maliki, former prime minister Ayad Allawi and former speaker of parliament Osama al-Nujeifi were given the largely ceremonial posts of co-vice president. Kurdish politician and former Foreign Minister Hoshyar Zebari was also named as one of three deputy prime ministers.
Prime Minister Haidar al-Abadi hopes to bring stability to Iraq's fractious politics at a time when it is struggling to combat the threat from ISIS terrorist group who have seized control of some parts of the country.
Mr. Abadi vowed to "back the military operations in all the areas of confrontation against the armed gangs and the forces of terrorism and ensuring their continuation till victory is achieved."
