Shafaq News- Baghdad
Iraqi political blocs that have yetto complete their shares in Prime Minister Ali Al-Zaidi's Cabinet have formedinternal committees to review candidates for the remaining ministries based ontheir electoral weight, an informed source told Shafaq News on Saturday.
The State of Law Coalition, led by formerPM Nouri Al-Maliki and holding 29 seats in Iraq's 329-member Parliament, isreviewing six candidates for the Interior Ministry before submitting ashortlist to Al-Zaidi, who will choose the final nominee.
The candidates include formerInterior Minister Abdul Amir Al-Shammari and Lieutenant General Qasim Atta,whose nomination, according to the source, faces local and regional objectionsdespite continued efforts by some parties to secure his approval. Other namesunder consideration include technocrats, among them a senior Interior Ministryofficer holding the rank of lieutenant general and a doctorate degree, alongwith independent figures.
The Higher Education Ministry isalso part of State of Law's share, while the Youth and Sports Ministry isexpected to go to Ammar Al-Hakim's National State Forces Alliance, which holds18 seats. The Labor and Social Affairs Ministry will be allocated to Sadiqoon,the political wing of Asaib Ahl al-Haq, which secured 27 seats.
Nearly 90% of the Cabinet lineup isexpected to be completed before Al-Zaidi's planned visit to Washington inmid-July, alongside the finalization of efforts to dismantle armed factions,the source noted, adding that the issue will be handled through legal channels.
Parliament approved Al-Zaidi'sgovernment and ministerial program on May 14, granting confidence to 14ministers, while the vote on nine remaining Cabinet posts was postponed becauseof disagreements over their allocation.
Earlier today, a senior figure inthe Shiite Coordination Framework, the largest parliamentary bloc, told ShafaqNews that Al-Zaidi would not complete his Cabinet before the US visit, citingunresolved disputes over some nominees as blocs continue internal talks overtheir remaining ministerial shares.
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