Iraqi President Nizar Amedi has named Ali al-Zaidi as prime minister-designate, tasked with forming a government, reports Todayinfo. This decision breaks a months-long political deadlock.
Al-Zaidi was nominated by the Coordination Framework, a coalition of Shia parties that holds a majority in parliament. A statement from the Framework said: 'After considering the names of the candidates, Ali al-Zaidi was chosen to be the candidate of the Coordination Framework bloc, as the largest bloc in the House of Representatives.'
The appointment follows opposition from US President Donald Trump to the candidacy of former Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki, who is close to Iran. Trump warned that all support to Iraq would stop if al-Maliki became prime minister. The Coordination Framework said that al-Maliki and outgoing Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani had withdrawn their candidacies.
