Iraqi Prime Minister announces completion of his government cabinet

He announced the start of accelerated steps to implement the government's priorities and program.

Al-Zaidi's announcement came after a session held by the Council of Representatives attended by 261 deputies, which saw the voting on candidates for vacant and newly created ministries, according to the official Iraqi News Agency "INA".

Thus, the number of ministers granted confidence by Parliament rose from 14 ministers when the government was formed last May to 25 ministers, following the vote on Thursday for 11 additional ministers.

The cabinet included newly created portfolios, most notably the Ministry of Digital Economy and Governance, the Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities, which separated from Culture, and the Ministry of State for Minority Affairs.

**Ministers and Deputy Prime Ministers

Parliament voted for Mohsen Al-Mandlawi, Laith Al-Khazali, and Mohammed Tamim as Deputy Prime Ministers.

It also granted confidence to Nayef Al-Shammari as Minister of Defense, Yasser Al-Maliki for Interior, Qutaiba Ghazi for Planning, and Haider Baha for Higher Education and Scientific Research.

The vote included Yassin Al-Aithawi as Minister of Culture, Ribaz Hamlan for Construction and Housing, Mohammed Al-Mousawi for Labor and Social Affairs, and Safaa Al-Kinani for Youth and Sports.

The Council also approved the appointment of Mohammed Al-Darraji to the Ministry of Digital Economy and Governance, Ali Al-Dakhili to the Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities, and Mohammed Samaan to the Ministry of State for Minority Affairs.

Despite Al-Zaidi's announcement of the completion of the cabinet, the fate of the Ministry of Migration and Displaced was not announced, as the list of ministers granted confidence by Parliament did not include a candidate to head it, nor did the Prime Minister's statement address its status.

**Economic and Security Challenges

In his statement, Al-Zaidi emphasized that his government has worked over the past months "with perseverance, patience, and determination under extremely complex circumstances on both internal and external levels."

He pointed out that "the region's war continues to impose exceptional economic challenges on Iraq," in addition to security challenges that require the highest degrees of responsibility and vigilance.

He said that his government has proceeded with implementing its program and confronting corruption, and has taken "historic steps to strengthen our country's sovereignty and the independence of its decision-making, leading to ending the military presence of the international coalition in Iraq."

He considered that the completion of the cabinet and the naming of deputy prime ministers represent "support for the government's ability to manage national files and momentum for coordinating efforts and implementing the commitments and programs that our people are waiting for."

He stressed the necessity of "transforming plans and decisions into tangible results that the citizen feels in their daily life."

Al-Zaidi called on his deputies and the ministers who received the Parliament's confidence to assume their responsibilities with the highest degrees of commitment, competence, and integrity, and to work with a team spirit to implement the government's priorities.

On May 14, Parliament granted confidence to Al-Zaidi's government and its government program, and at that time voted for 14 ministers out of 23 portfolios, while 9 portfolios remained incomplete.

Consultations continued over the following months regarding completing the government cabinet, in addition to arrangements for creating ministerial portfolios and naming deputy prime ministers, leading to Thursday's voting session.