Iraq prez names deputy speaker new PM
12 Aug 2014 12:32 AM GMT
Iraq’s new president on Monday snubbed the powerful incumbent Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki and nominated the deputy parliament speaker to form the new government, raising fears of more infighting in the government as country faces the threat of Sunni militants in the north.
In a televised address Fouad Massoum gave Haider al-Ibadi, who was selected by a coalition of Shiite political parties, 30 days to form a new government and present it to parliament for approval.
The ceremony came hours after the embattled al-Maliki delivered a surprise speech at midnight accusing the country’s Massoum of blocking his reappointment as prime minister and carrying out ‘a coup against the constitution and the political process.’
Despite angrily insisting that he should be nominated for a third term, al-Maliki has lost some of his support with the main coalition of Shiite parties turning against him. Al-Ibadi, who pledged to form a government to ‘protect the Iraqi people,’ was nominated for the post by the Iraqi National Alliance, a coalition of Shiite parties that of which al-Maliki’s State of Law is a part.
Critics say al-Maliki, a Shiite, contributed to the crisis facing the country by monopolising power and pursuing a sectarian agenda that alienated the country’s Sunni and Kurdish minorities.
Al-Ibadi’s nomination came hours after al-Maliki deployed his elite security forces in the streets of Baghdad, partially closed two main streets popular spots for pro and anti-government rallies as hundreds of his supporters took to the streets, raising fears that he might use force to stay in power.
In a televised address Fouad Massoum gave Haider al-Ibadi, who was selected by a coalition of Shiite political parties, 30 days to form a new government and present it to parliament for approval.
The ceremony came hours after the embattled al-Maliki delivered a surprise speech at midnight accusing the country’s Massoum of blocking his reappointment as prime minister and carrying out ‘a coup against the constitution and the political process.’
Despite angrily insisting that he should be nominated for a third term, al-Maliki has lost some of his support with the main coalition of Shiite parties turning against him. Al-Ibadi, who pledged to form a government to ‘protect the Iraqi people,’ was nominated for the post by the Iraqi National Alliance, a coalition of Shiite parties that of which al-Maliki’s State of Law is a part.
Critics say al-Maliki, a Shiite, contributed to the crisis facing the country by monopolising power and pursuing a sectarian agenda that alienated the country’s Sunni and Kurdish minorities.
Al-Ibadi’s nomination came hours after al-Maliki deployed his elite security forces in the streets of Baghdad, partially closed two main streets popular spots for pro and anti-government rallies as hundreds of his supporters took to the streets, raising fears that he might use force to stay in power.
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