Iraq’s parliament officially named Haider al-Albadi as the country’s new prime minister and approved the majority of his cabinet, Associated Press (AP) reports. The move ends a several month long political stalemate.
According to AP, lawmakers endorsed all of the candidates proposed for Iraq’s new government with the exception of the defense and interior ministers.
Outgoing Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki was given a ceremonial post of co-vice president, along with two other former top officials.
U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry hailed the new Iraqi government as a “major milestone” for the country and “a cornerstone” in the fight against Islamic State militants.
