BAGHDAD, May 17 (UPI) -- Iraqi Prime Minister-designate Nouri al-Maliki Wednesday completed the formation of his government which he is expected to announce shortly.
Under Iraq's new constitution the prime minister-designate has one month to form the government, and Maliki has only six days left before the deadline expires.
Lawmaker Bahaa Aaraji, member of the Shiite Unified Iraqi Coalition, expressed hope Wednesday that Maliki will announce the government Thursday despite reservations by the bloc led by former premier Ayad Allawi.
Aaraji told a press conference that "Maliki completed the formation of the national unity government which he might announce Thursday to pave the ground for a vote of confidence in parliament."
Asked if the Fadila Party is expected to reconsider its boycott of the government, Aaraji said Maliki proposed the ministries of trade and labor "and we are waiting for their reply."
The Fadila Party sought the oil ministry which it is holding in the outgoing government, but was since allocated to the independent bloc in the coalition which is led by Hussein Shahrastani.
On the controversial defense and interior ministries, Aaraji said, "the two portfolios were allocated to the Sunni Consensus bloc and the Shiite coalition who proposed independent candidates."
He said the Consensus Front also grabbed the ministries of planning, higher education, scientific research and the state ministry for foreign affairs.
Previous false hopes of an imminent announcement of the new Iraqi government occurred in view of tight competition between the different blocs over key portfolios.
