Iraqi government spokesman says cabinet completion talks fall short of expectations

BAGHDAD, Iraq — Iraqi government spokesman Haider al-Abboudi said on Monday that ongoing efforts to complete the cabinet formation have not met expectations, telling a press conference that the process has so far failed to make sufficient progress. Al-Abboudi said nine ministerial seats in the Council of Ministers remain vacant, adding that Prime Minister Mohammed Shia' al-Sudani has directed deputy ministers to attend cabinet meetings in the meantime. The spokesman also said contacts between Baghdad and Erbil on the withdrawal of international coalition forces are continuing, with coordination being carried out between the office of the Chief of Staff and the Kurdistan Region. He did not provide further details on the timing or substance of the coalition withdrawal discussions.