BAGHDAD (AFP): Iraq’s former Intelligence chief Mustafa Al-Kadhemi became the sixth prime minister of the country amid a staggering economic crisis and coronavirus pandemic.
Parliament approved the new government overnight after last-minute changes to the cabinet line-up, nearly a month after the ex-head of the National Intelligence Service (INIS) was nominated by President Barham Saleh.
He was the third candidate to try to form a government after the late November resignation of Adel Abdul Mahdi.
The nomination of Mustafa Al-Kadhemi followed weeks of lobbying of deeply divided political parties, including those close to neighbouring Iran.
One hardline faction had accused Kadhemi of conspiring with Washington over the January drone strike that killed Iranian general Qasem Soleimani and Iraqi commander Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis outside Baghdad airport.
However, Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif tweeted a congratulatory message to the new premier and said, “Iran always stands with the Iraqi people and their choice of administration.
Kadhemi returned from exile in London to Iraq after the U.S. toppled Saddam Hussein in 2003 and worked as a journalist before becoming intelligence chief
U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo immediately called Kadhimi to congratulate him on forming the new government and offered a reward of sorts – extending a waiver of U.S. sanctions against Iran by allowing Iraq to import Iranian fuel for four months instead of 30 days.
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