ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - A day after Iraq’s new prime minister and more than a half of his cabinet were sworn in and voted for by the Iraqi parliament, the official transfer of power took place in Baghdad on Thursday.

New Prime Minister Adil Abdul-Mahdi said that the new government will hold its first meeting later in the day.

Former premier Haider al-Abadi wished success for his successor and stressed "that we should altogether support Mr. Adel Abdul Mahdi in order for him to be successful in his position."

Abdul-Mahdi said the new government will implement its agenda and fulfill the demand of the Iraqi street.

He hinted they would create a "new phase" for the country in all fields.

"There are plenty of issues ahead of us that we will face including providing services and battling the corrupt and corruption," Abdul-Mahdi said.

There are a number of ministerial positions yet to be filled. Some MPs left parliament hall on Wednesday night when voting for the Mahdi cabinet was underway. They did not have a quorum, leaving the remaining eight nominated ministers as designates who haven’t been confirmed or sworn in.

"I urge that the parliament must grant confidence to the new ministers as their ministerial positions are left vacuum," Abdul-Mahdi said.


Iraq held parliamentary elections on May 12 and has worked on government formation since.

Rudaw