Tag: American and

BEIRUT, Lebanon — For nearly five months, Iraqi politicians have wrangled over the shape of their new government. He had rebranded himself as an “Iraq First” populist, vowing to fight corruption, opposing both American and Iranian intervention, and promising a new nonsectarian politics. “People who want reform or major change, they’ll be unhappy. This is a vote for continuity.” The new leadership appeared to be acceptable to both the United States and Iran, analysts said. Mr. Salih was elected in a landslide by the Iraqi Parliament on Tuesday. He designated Mr. Abdul Mahdi, the consensus candidate of the major blocs in Parliament, to form a government. But the selection of Mr. Abdul Mahdi and Mr. Salih suggest a more conciliatory approach. Mr. Salih, too, is seen as a uniter. Mr. Salih, 58, has a doctorate in engineering from Britain and has previously served as Prime Minister of Iraq’s Kurdistan region and as planning minister in the Iraqi government. The selection of president went to Parliament, where Mr. Salih won 220 out of 273 votes, largely because he is seen as more conciliatory on the issue of Kurdish independence.