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Iraq forms unity government, inclusive of Kurdish and Sunni minorities

U.S. President Barack Obama and Secretary of State John Kerry applauded Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi and other Iraqi leaders for successfully forming a unity government within the constitutionally mandated 30-day period.

By JC Finley
Newly elected prime minister of Iraq, Haider al-Abadi (RedWolf343/CC/Wikimedia Commons)
Newly elected prime minister of Iraq, Haider al-Abadi (RedWolf343/CC/Wikimedia Commons)

BAGHDAD, Sept. 9 (UPI) -- Iraqi lawmakers formed a new, inclusive government late Monday, days ahead of the 30-day constitutional deadline to do so and amid a deteriorating security situation.

Under Iraq's constitution, Prime Minister Haidar al-Abadi had 30 days from the date of his nomination on Aug. 11 to form a unity government.

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Despite threats of political impasse, lawmakers ultimately approved a power-sharing arrangement that is inclusive of Sunni and Kurdish minorities, "one that has the potential to unite all of Iraq's diverse communities for a strong Iraq, a united Iraq, and to give those communities the chance to build the future that all Iraqis desire and deserve," observed U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry following the vote.

Abadi's three new deputies are: Saleh Mutlaq, a Sunni, Hoshyar Zebari, a Kurd, and Baha Arraji, a Shiite.

For the largely ceremonial position of vice presidents, Parliament approved three political rivals: the recently resigned Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki, former Prime Minister Iyad Allawi, and former Parliamentary speaker Usama al-Nujaifi.

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No one was named to fill the ministers of defense or security positions, but Abadi said he would submit nominations within a week.

The Kurds cautioned Monday that their participation in the new government would take a wait and see approach, committing to "give three months deadline to review the pending issues between the two sides," Kurdish news site Rudaw reported.

U.S. President Barack Obama telephoned Abadi Monday to congratulate him and other Iraqi leaders for forging a unity government, a step the West deemed essential to defeating the Islamic State, and reiterated that he will work closely with "Prime Minister Abadi and his government as we advance our strategy to combat ISIL."

Abadi assured Obama he was committed "to work with all communities in Iraq as well as regional and international partners to strengthen Iraq's capabilities to fight against this common enemy."

Obama is expected to deliver a speech Wednesday that will provide more detail regarding America's coordinated global strategy to combat the Islamic State.

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