Parliament approves 93 ambassadors, ending years-long vacancies in Iraq’s diplomatic corps

BAGHDAD — Iraq’s Council of Representatives on Tuesday approved a list of 93 ambassadors during its fifth session of the second legislative term, chaired by Speaker Mahmoud al-Mashhadani with 169 lawmakers present.

Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani welcomed the move, calling it long overdue. “The prime minister valued the parliament’s vote on the list of ambassadors in its session held today,” his office said. He praised “the spirit of cooperation shown by the presidency of parliament, the parliamentary foreign relations committee, and political forces in resolving this file that has been pending for years, as ambassadors have not been approved since 2009.”

Al-Sudani said the appointments would fill vacancies that had left some missions without confirmed envoys. “This comes within the framework of administrative reform across all state institutions, which the government adopted in its ministerial program,” he said. He added that the step would strengthen Iraq’s diplomatic corps, enhancing its ability “to carry out its role as defined in the constitution and existing laws.”

The Foreign Ministry also welcomed the vote, saying it would boost Iraq’s presence abroad and support Iraqis living overseas. “This step will contribute to strengthening Iraq’s diplomatic presence on the international stage, expanding its network of relations with countries around the world, as well as supporting efforts to protect national interests and serve the Iraqi community abroad,” the ministry said.