Iraq's parliament failed once again Monday to vote on filling the vacant positions for key ministries in the cabinet of Prime Minister Adel Abdul Mahdi.
The parliament excluded by voting on Monday the candidacy of Maj. Gen. Faisal Fanar Al-Jarba, who is backed by the National Coalition, led by Iraqi Vice President Ayad Allawi, for the post of Defense Ministry.
Asked about who might replace Jabra for the post, an informed political source told Asharq Al-Awsat: “There is an agreement between all Sunni blocs, from both the Reform and the Binaa alliances, to support the candidacy of Hisham Al-Daraji or Salim Al-Jabouri.”
Meanwhile, voting on the candidates for the posts of interior and justice ministers was postponed.
The Reform Alliance, led by the cleric Moqtada Al-Sadr, obstructed the voting of candidate Falih Al-Fayadh, who is backed by the Binaa Alliance.
Fayadh is viewed by the Reform bloc as "the man of Iran."
During Monday’s session, deputies allied with Sadr walked out when Speaker Mohammed al-Halbousi put forth Fayadh’s name for a vote, as they have done several times in the last few months, thus breaking quorum and ending the session.
Deputy Salam al-Shamri from Sadr’s bloc asserted on Monday that the Sairoon alliance “has not changed its position as it continues to back professional, technocratic, and non-partisan figures for filling ministerial posts.”
He said all other Iraqi parties should accept those conditions.
Since late October, disputes between the Reform and Binaa blocs had prevented the formation of a full government of 22 ministers.
In Monday's session, Abdul Mahdi's picks for the Education and Immigration Ministries were approved: Shaima Khalil was appointed as education minister and Nawfal Moussa as migration minister.
Each candidate needs at least 166 votes out of 329 in parliament to be approved for a certain ministerial post.
