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Iraq Appoints Third PM-Designate, After Second Withdraws

Associated Press

   BAGHDAD - Iraq's intelligence chief was appointed the country's third
   prime minister-designate in just over a month Thursday after the
   resignation of the most recent candidate amid political infighting.

   The upheaval threatened a leadership vacuum at the helm of the
   government amid a severe economic crisis and viral pandemic.

   Adnan al-Zurfi's candidacy was imperiled in the past 48 hours when key
   Shi'ite parties rallied around Iraq's intelligence head, Mustafa
   al-Kadhimi, to replace him. His chances were further diminished when
   the main Kurdish and Sunni blocs withdrew support for his candidacy.

   Iraq's president appointed Kadhimi, 53, as prime minister-designate
   shortly after al-Zurfi's resignation.

   "With my mandate to lead the Iraqi government, I pledge to my honorable
   people to work to form a government that puts the aspirations and
   demands of Iraqis as the top priority," Kadhimi tweeted shortly after
   his appointment was announced.

   Kadhimi was appointed by former Prime Minister Haidar al-Abadi as head
   of the Iraqi National Intelligence Service and has served in this post
   since June 2016.

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