Iraqi parliament to convene to vote on new cabinet

BAGHDAD - The Iraqi parliament said Monday that it will hold an extraordinary session on Thursday to vote on the lineup of the cabinet of Prime Minister-designate Mohammed Tawfiq Allawi.

The presidency of the Council of Representatives (parliament) held a meeting during the day and set Feb 27 a date for the extraordinary session to vote on granting confidence to the new government, on condition that the prime minister-designate sends the ministerial program and CVs for the candidates ahead of scheduled date, the parliament said in a statement.

The parliament's announcement came amid a heated political struggle among the Iraqi political blocs over the future of their interests in the expected Allawi government.

On Feb 19, Allawi called on the parliament to hold an extraordinary session to vote on his cabinet's lineup.

Allawi has pledged to form a competent government beyond sectarian quotas and political parties.