Rashid and Sudanese Iraqi leaders
Abdul Latif Rashid, 78, is a UK-educated engineer. He was Iraqi Minister of Water Resources from 2003 to 2010. He invited Sudanese, the leader of the largest parliamentarians faction, coordinating a coalition of parties backed by Iran to form the government. Sudanese has previously served as Iraq’s Minister of Human Rights as well as Minister of Labor and Social Affairs. Rashid won against former President Barham Salih, who was in the fray for a second term.
Nine rocket attacks during presidential election
Voting in Iraq on Thursday was the fourth attempt this year to elect a president. During this there were also 9 rocket attacks around the Green Zone of the Iraqi capital. Security forces and the health ministry said at least 10 people, including members of the security forces, were injured in the attack. Similar attacks took place during the election of the Speaker of Parliament last month as well.
Big blow to Muktada al-Sadr
In Iraq, Shia Muslim cleric Muktada al-Sadr was expected to become the president. In the elections held last year, the parties backed by him had won big. However, he failed to garner support to form the government. In August, Sadr had offered the resignation of 73 of his lawmakers, which has since sparked violence in Baghdad. His supporters attacked parliament and fought rival Shia groups. Most of it was Iran-backed faction. Sadr has yet to announce his next move.