Iraq’s ruling alliances moves to finalize cabinet after Eid, rejects attack on Gulf states
ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - Iraq’s ruling Shiite-led Coordination Framework announced on Wednesday that it will move to complete the formation of Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi’s cabinet after the Muslim Eid al-Adha, expected mid next week. It further condemned recent attacks targeting neighboring countries and urged security forces to expedite investigations into the incidents.
In a statement, the alliance said it would proceed with “steps to complete the government cabinet after the Eid holiday, in accordance with constitutional frameworks and national understandings,” while affirming the importance of unity and continued coordination among political forces.
The remarks followed a late Wednesday meeting held in the presence of the newly appointed premier at the residence of Hadi al-Ameri, leader of the pro-Iran Badr Organization.
They also come a week after the Iraqi parliament voted Zaidi in as prime minister, approving his government program and 14 members of his cabinet lineup, while postponing votes on nine remaining ministries, amid reported disagreements among Shiite, Sunni, and Kurdish factions.
The delayed ministries include agriculture, culture, defense, immigration, and interior.
The Coordination Framework’s statement also addressed regional security tensions following Sunday’s drone attacks on Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, which both countries said originated from Iraq.
The alliance said it “rejects all forms of aggression and attacks targeting neighboring countries,” emphasizing the importance of respecting national sovereignty and preventing further regional instability.
It also called on Iraqi security forces to “complete their investigations” into the attacks and to “take the necessary measures to protect Iraq’s security and sovereignty.”
Iraq on Wednesday established a “special committee” to liaise with Saudi Arabia and the UAE regarding investigations into attacks targeting their territories.