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In this Wednesday, March 28, 2018 picture, Barham Salih speaks to reporters in Baghdad, Iraq. Iraqi state TV says parliament has elected the veteran Kurdish politician as the country's new president, a step toward forming a new government. (AP Photo/Karim Kadim) Image Credit: AP

Sulaimaniya, Iraq: Newly-elected Iraqi President Barham Salih has named veteran Shi’ite politician Adel Abdul Mahdi as prime minister-designate and tasked him with forming a new government, two lawmakers told Reuters on Tuesday.

According to Iraq’s constitution, Abdul Mahdi now has 30 days to form a cabinet and present it to parliament for approval.

Salih named Abdul Mahdi less than two hours after he himself was elected president.