Middle East News

Key government appointments delayed in Iraq

Mar 11, 2011, 9:26 GMT

Baghdad - Top appointments at Iraqi's key defence, interior and national security ministries have been pushed back a week due to disagreements among the country's political blocs, an Iraqi lawmaker said Friday.

Member of parliament Iskandar Watut, of the Iraqiya List led by former prime minister Ayad Allawi, told the German Press Agency dpa that the various political groupings could not agree on which candidates to nominate for the three posts.

'I expect the names will be sent to parliament for approval next week, because we want to speed up the resolution of the matter,' said Watut.

Iraqi officials were supposed to name the ministers, who would be responsible for national security in the restive country, this week.

In December, Iraqi politicians broke through a 10 month-long political stalemate, approving 70 per cent of the 42-member cabinet.

Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki has taken over the interim of the three posts.

Read more about Iraq Politics