Iran Congratulates Iraq on Election of Defense, Interior Ministers

(FNA)- Iranian Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Marziyeh Afkham voiced Iran's pleasure in the democratic process of government formation in Iraq, and congratulated the Muslim Arab state on the election of its new defense and interior ministers.

Afkham felicitated the new ministers, the Iraqi government and people on the occasion.

The Iranian foreign ministry spokeswoman wished success for the ministers to fulfill their duties, and hoped for the further expansion of bilateral ties and mutual cooperation between Tehran and Baghdad.

Iraqi lawmakers approved Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi's remaining Cabinet nominees on Saturday, including for the critical defense and interior portfolios, completing the formation of a government.

Control over the two powerful security ministries has long been a source of tension among Iraq's rival political factions. Khaled al-Obeidi, a Sunni lawmaker from Mosul, was selected for the post of defense minister, by a vote of 175-85. He had served as an officer in Saddam Hussein's military and holds a PhD in political science.

Mohammed Salem al-Ghabban, a Shiite lawmaker with al-Abadi's State of Law political bloc, was approved as minister of interior by a 197-63 vote. He holds degrees from universities in both Tehran and London and he is currently pursuing a PhD in political science in Baghdad. He was a long-time opponent of Saddam and was detained in 1979.

Hoshyar Zebari, a Kurdish politician and Iraq's long-serving foreign minister, was named minister of finance, having previously been voted in as deputy prime minister. Shiite lawmaker Adel Fahd al-Shirshab was named tourism minister, and Kurdish lawmaker Bayan Nouri was appointed minister of women's affairs.