Iraq's new premier meets with cabinet
Iraq's new government has held its first cabinet meeting in Baghdad.
Iraqi Prime Minister Muhammad Shia al-Sudani, who received a vote of confidence yesterday in the Iraqi Parliament, commenced his duties today. Sudani, together with 21 of his ministers, received a vote of confidence Thursday night. The parliament also voted to approve the government's program.
The new premier officially assumed his duties as prime minister and commander-in-chief of the armed forces in a handover ceremony with former Prime Minister Mustafa al-Kadhimi at the Government Palace.
The new government immediately held its first cabinet meeting on ministerial handovers, during which the prime minister stressed the need to “avoid making hasty decisions" and "changes and modifications," warning against "marginalization and exclusion." He noted that "all those present are employees of the Iraqi state."
The ministries are shared among Iraq's political parties based on sectarian quota system.
