Dhi Qar provincial council appoints Hider Ghani Hanun as new governor

BAGHDAD, Iraq — The Dhi Qar provincial council elected Hider Ghani Hanun as the province's new governor during its 21st session on Monday, according to the provincial media office. The vote followed the formal acceptance of former governor Heitham al-Hamdani's resignation by majority decision in the same session. Al-Hamdani, who had served in Dhi Qar's local administration for an extended period, submitted his resignation earlier in the day citing health reasons and his inability to continue carrying out local government and executive duties. The provincial media office said the council completed the voting process before selecting Hanun to replace him. No further details on the transition were immediately available.