*UPDATES WITH NEW IRAQI PM ASSUMING DUTY
By Ibrahim Saleh
BAGHDAD (AA) – Iraqi Prime Minister Adil Abdul-Mahdi officially assumed his responsibilities on Thursday after lawmakers approved his government program and most of his proposed cabinet nominees.
In a ceremony, outgoing premier Haider al-Abadi formally handed over authority to the new prime minister.
Abdul-Mahdi was officially sworn in late Wednesday — along with 14 members of his cabinet — after winning a parliamentary vote of confidence.
In a statement issued Thursday, Abdul-Mahdi vowed that members of his incoming cabinet would work hard to implement his “ambitious and detailed” government program.
On Wednesday night, 14 of Abdul-Mahdi’s 22 cabinet nominees — including those for the petroleum, finance, foreign affairs and labor portfolios — were granted confidence by lawmakers.
Parliament is set to convene again on Nov. 6 when MPs will vote on the prime minister’s eight remaining nominees.
Sources close to the government-formation process have told Anadolu Agency that Abdul-Mahdi is under considerable pressure from influential political blocs seeking greater representation in his cabinet lineup.
