Iraq appoints leader from Iran-backed Asaib Ahl al-Haq as deputy PM

Iraq’s parliament has approved Laith al-Khazali, a senior figure from the Iran-backed Asaib Ahl al-Haq movement, as a deputy prime minister. The United States designated the group a "foreign terrorist organisation" in 2020. Khazali is the brother of the movement’s leader, Qais al-Khazali. Washington designated both brothers as "specially designated global terrorists", citing attacks including a 2007 assault that killed five US soldiers. The US Treasury also sanctioned them in 2019 over the killing of protesters in Iraq. Lawmakers on Thursday approved three deputy prime ministers and 11 ministers, completing Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi’s government. The appointments include Nayef al-Shammari as defence minister and Yasir al-Maliki as interior minister. Zaidi's government has pledged economic reforms, anti-corruption measures and efforts to strengthen state institutions — but faces steep challenges, including rebuilding an economy battered by regional instability, tackling endemic corruption, and reining in Iran-allied armed groups, according to Reuters. Lawmakers approved 11 portfolios, including Nayef al-Shammari as defence minister and Yasir al-Maliki as interior minister. (Reuters)