Adel Abdul Mahdi sworn in as Iraq's PM

BAGHDAD - Adel Abdul Mahdi on Wednesday was sworn in as new prime minister of Iraq after the parliament passed 14 out of his 22 cabinet members.

Mahdi and his 14 cabinet members were sworn in after a long parliament session that continued until after midnight, as the parliament passed the government program submitted by Mahdi as well as his 14 cabinet members after heated debate.

Up to 220 lawmakers attending the session raised their hands to show approval of the new minister when Parliament Speaker Mahammed al-Halbousi read out their names one by one.

Among the new ministers, Mohammed Ali al-Hakim was approved as Foreign Minister, Fuad Hussein as Finance Minister and Thamir al-Ghadhban as Oil Minister.

But differences among the political blocs prevented the approval of eight other portfolios including the security ministries of defense and interior.

Al-Halbousi adjourned the session until Nov 6.

At the beginning of the session, Mahdi read out his government program with five axes, which include strengthening of internal and external security through law enforcement, anti-terrorism and efforts to fight corruption.

The program also focuses on the rule of law by ending chaos, controlling the spread of weapons to protect citizens, and addressing the outstanding issues between Baghdad and semi-autonomous region of Kurdistan.