Shafaq News- Baghdad

The United States on Wednesday welcomed the designation of Ali Al-Zaidi as Iraq’s prime minister, backing efforts to form a new government after weeks of political deadlock.

The US Embassy in Baghdad said it “extends its best wishes” to Al-Zaidi and supports Iraq’s sovereignty, “security free from terrorism,” and a prosperous future benefiting both Iraqis and Americans.

Al-Zaidi was named after weeks of deadlock within Iraq’s Shiite Coordination Framework, parliament’s largest bloc with 162 of 329 seats. He replaces earlier contenders, notably former prime minister Nouri Al-Maliki, whose return faced a US veto.

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