Political and International Obstacles Delay the Completion of the Iraqi Cabinet

Iraqi parliamentary sources attributed the delay in announcing the remaining ministerial portfolios to ongoing complex political negotiations regarding the participation of certain armed factions in the cabinet. The government is conducting intensive dialogues to secure international consensus allowing the integration of factions that committed to state weapon control into the political process, amid demands for service ministries and sovereign positions. Meanwhile, internal debate is escalating over the economic and administrative feasibility of retaining presidential deputy posts amid efforts to rationalize government expenditures.