Baghdad: Iraq's new Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi officially assumed office on Saturday, succeeding Mohammed Shia al-Sudani, according to the state news agency. A handover ceremony took place in the capital Baghdad where the new prime minister formally took charge of his duties, as reported by the Iraqi News Agency (INA).

According to Anadolu Agency, the process began on May 14 when the Iraqi parliament expressed confidence in al-Zaidi and approved 14 ministers in his Cabinet, while delaying the vote on nine other ministerial posts. This progression allowed the new government to officially commence its operations.

On April 27, Iraqi President Nizar Amidi entrusted al-Zaidi with forming the government following an agreement within the Coordination Framework Alliance, the largest parliamentary bloc, to nominate him for the premiership. Iraq's political framework allocates the presidency to a Kurdish representative, the prime ministership to a Shia representative, and the parliamentary speakership to a Sunni representative. These positions are currently held by Amidi, Zaidi, and Hebat al-Halbousi, respectively.