Iraq cabinet talks: six candidates compete for Interior Ministry

BAGHDAD, Iraq — Political groups in Iraq have set up candidate selection committees to fill remaining ministerial seats in the government, a source familiar with the talks said. The State of Law Coalition, led by Nouri al-Maliki, is reviewing six names for the Interior Ministry portfolio, including former minister Abdul Amir al-Shammari and General Qasim Ata. The source said Ata's candidacy faces difficulties due to local and regional vetoes, though some parties are still pushing his nomination forward. The list is said to include technocrats and independents, including a general holding a doctoral degree. Under the coalition's allocation, the Higher Education Ministry will go to the State of Law Coalition, Youth and Sports to the Hikma Movement, and Labor and Social Affairs to the Sadiqun Bloc. The Coordination Framework has tied the completion of cabinet picks to the outcome of Prime Minister Ali Fallah al-Zaydi's mid-month visit to Washington. Lawmaker Amir al-Fayadh, a member of the Framework, said the cabinet line-up will not be finalized before Zaydi returns from his trip.