President calls for cabinet to be completed as Zaidi’s deadline arrives

BAGHDAD — President Nizar Amedi called for the swift completion of the cabinet, days after Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi said talks would conclude this week and nominations go to parliament next week.

Completing it would strengthen state institutions and let the government implement its programme, Amedi said at a meeting with Aziz al-Rubaie, secretary-general of the National Line Movement, at al-Salam Palace, urging political forces to unify their positions and support the government. The meeting also covered the political, economic and security situation and regional developments.

Nine of 23 ministries have been unfilled since parliament approved 14 ministers on May 14, rejecting nominees for interior, higher education, planning, culture, and reconstruction and housing, and postponing votes on defence, labour, migration and displacement, and youth and sports. Zaidi told the Coordination Framework on Sept. 1 that talks would finish that week with a parliamentary vote to follow, having said on Aug. 11 that completion was close without giving a timetable.

The interior and defence portfolios have been the most contested. As of late August the Hasm Alliance had not submitted nominees for defence, and candidates for labour and social affairs were also outstanding.