Mohammad Allawi, a former communications minister, said Saturday he has been appointed Iraq’s new premier, replacing Adel Abdel Mahdi who resigned under pressure from the street. The move could end the paralysis gripping Iraq’s political elite, which has struggled to respond to four months of anti-regime rallies in Baghdad and mainly-Shiite southern Iraq. Faced with the stalemate, Saleh had told Iraq’s divided parliament that he would name his own candidate unless it nominated someone by Saturday. Under the constitution, Allawi now has one month to form a cabinet, which would require a vote of confidence from parliament. “If the (political) blocs try to impose their candidates on me, I’ll come out and talk to you and leave this nomination,” Allawi said.

Source: The Guardian February 01, 2020 15:33 UTC