Iraq forms a cabinet

Bloomberg reported Iraqi Prime Minister-designate Nuri al-Maliki announced his cabinet today after more than five months of negotiations during which he and his coalition partners failed to agree on an interior or defense minister. Al-Maliki named his 37 cabinet members in a press conference carried live by Dubai, United Arab Emirates-based al-Arabiya television station. Hoshyar Zebari retained his post as foreign minister and Hussain Sharistani was named oil minister. Maliki, who presented the appointments to the legislature for approval, will temporarily run the interior ministry and Deputy Prime Minister Salam al-Zaubai the defense ministry.

Congratulations, and welcome to the 21st Century's newest democratic government