Published 16:57 IST, April 9th 2020
Iraqi President nominates spy chief Mustafa Al-Kadhimi as new PM-designate
Iraqi President Barham Saleh named intelligence chief Mustafa Al-Kadhimi as the new Prime Minister-designate in another bid to contain the political crisis.
Advertisement
Iraqi President Barham Salih named intelligence chief Mustafa Al-Kadhimi as the new Prime Minister-designate in another bid to contain the political crisis. The announcement came soon after predecessor Adnan Al-Zurfi handed over his resignation citing “internal and external reasons” that prevented him from carrying out his duties.
After the announcement, Kadhimi pledged to work to form a government that puts the aspirations and demands of Iraqis as the top priority. Taking to Twitter, the PM-designate said that he will work to safeguard the sovereignty of the country, preserving rights, working to resolve crises, and pushing the economy forward.
I am honored and privileged to be tasked with forming Iraq’s next government. I will work tirelessly to present Iraqis with a program and cabinet that will work to serve them, protect their rights and take Iraq towards a prosperous future.
— Mustafa Al -kadhimi مصطفى الكاظمي (@dn7OcRfJJ94ptJP) April 9, 2020
Close links with the US
According to media reports, Kadhimi enjoys widespread support unlike the former PM-designates and has close links with the US. The 53-year-old intel chief is the third PM-designate in just over a month as the earlier ones failed to mobilise the support from political parties. Former Prime Minister-designate Mohammed Tawfiq Allawi faced opposition from protesters as they questioned his credibility, calling him a “stooge” of the political elite.
16:57 IST, April 9th 2020