Iraq’s president taps intelligence chief to form new government
Iraqi President Barham Salih has appointed Mustafa al-Kadhimi, director of Iraq's National Intelligence Service, as Iraq's next prime minister-designate after Adnan Al-Zurfi withdrew his candidacy.
With the appointment of intelligence chief Mustafa al-Kadhimi as Iraq's new prime minister-designate, Iraq’s President Barham Salih is attempting for the third time this year to end a months-long political deadlock.
Kadhimi is the latest candidate tasked with forming a government after Adnan al-Zurfi, unable to obtain support among Iraq's political parties, withdrew his bid Thursday morning.
"This decision will not stop me from serving the public through my current parliamentary position. I will continue to work and prepare the country for the upcoming early elections and other challenges," Zurfi said on Twitter.
Already facing resistance from Shiite blocs who labeled him a "candidate of the CIA,” Zurfi’s candidacy was dealt a major blow when the parliament’s main Kurdish and Sunni parties pulled their support for the former Najaf governor this week.
