Iraq Names Laith al-Khazali Deputy Prime Minister

Iraq’s parliament approved Laith al-Khazali as a deputy prime minister on Thursday, October 15, as lawmakers filled most of the remaining vacancies in Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi’s cabinet. The vote approved three deputy prime ministers and 11 ministers, leaving one ministerial nomination unresolved. Al-Khazali is the brother of Qais al-Khazali, who leads Asaib Ahl al-Haq, an armed movement with a political presence in Iraq. Reports describe Laith al-Khazali as a senior figure in the group. The United States designated Asaib Ahl al-Haq a foreign terrorist organization in 2020 and designated both brothers as specially designated global terrorists. The US Treasury Department sanctioned them in 2019 over alleged abuses, including the suppression of protests in Iraq. The parliamentary vote also approved Nayef al-Shammari as defense minister and Yasir al-Maliki as interior minister. Other appointments included ministers for planning, culture, and higher education and scientific research. Lawmakers postponed a vote on the nominee for migration and displacement minister because of disagreement among parties. Al-Zaidi thanked parliament after the approvals and urged the new ministers...