Islam Times - Iraq Intelligence Chief Named New PM-Designate

Islam Times - Iraqi President Barham Salih named Mustafa al-Kazemi, the head of Iraq’s intelligence, as Prime Minister-designate on Thursday after Adnan al-Zurfi ended his bid to form a new government.

Iraqi Prime Minister-designate Adnan al-Zurfi announced on Thursday his withdrawal from the role of forming a new government, the Iraqi News Agency reported.

“My withdrawal is to preserve the unity of Iraq,” he said, according to the news agency.

Al-Zurfi was named as Prime Minister-designate in mid-March, following the withdrawal of then Prime Minister-designate Mohammed Tawfiq Allawi.

These efforts to establish a new government follow the resignation of former Prime Minister Adil Abdul Mahdi, who stepped down in December.