Iraqi PM Unveils New Cabinet As Sadr Ends Protests
Local Editor
Iraq's Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi on Thursday nominated a new cabinet and pledged to make political reforms to reduce corruption in response to sit-in protests in Baghdad led by Sayyed Muqtada al-Sadr.
Sadr on Thursday told supporters to end their two-week protest at the entrances to the fortified Green Zone, where Iraq's government institutions are located.
In a speech to parliament, Abadi stressed his commitment to the Iraqi constitution but also to reforms he said were key to helping Iraq move forward.
The defense and interior ministries are the only ones not to have been changed, with Abadi saying that a change in leadership now could further destabilise the security situation.
Most of the names are not seen to be loyal to Iraq's existing political blocs that have long dominated politics.
All political parties have been included, but Abadi has faced an uphill battle with parliament, with many political blocs initially against reform and fearful that it would see their influence curtailed.
"They were chosen on the basis of professionalism, competence, integrity and leadership ability," Abadi said of the proposed candidates.
Parliament then voted on carrying out "complete reform" of government positions including ministers, deputies and security commanders.
The ministerial changes are to be carried out in 10 days, parliamentary speaker Salim al-Juburi said.
But changing ministers and other senior officials is only likely to be the beginning of the process, as ministries are packed with lower-level employees appointed on the basis of party and sectarian affiliation.
"I would like to thank Sadr, because he preserved social cohesion in the country," Abadi said in his speech.
Key ministerial nominations:
Ali Alawi - Minister of Finance
Nzar Salim - Minister of Oil
Sharif Ali bn Ali - Minister of Foreign Affairs
Ali Jabouri - Minister of Education
Ali Mubarak - Minister of Health
Hassan Janabi - Minister of Oil and Water Resources
Aqil Yousif - Minister of Youth and Culture
Hoshiyar Amin - Minister of Municipality and Reconstruction
Yousif Assadi - Minister of Transportation
Mohammed Nasrollah - Minister of Justice
Ala Dashir - Minister of Electricity
Wafa Mahdawi - Minister of Immigration and Displacement
Source: News Agencies, Edited by website team
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