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United Nations

United States and UN Welcome Iyad Allawi as New Prime Minister of Iraq

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

The United States and the United Nations have welcomed the naming of Iyad Allawi as the new prime minister of Iraq by the Iraqi Governing Council. Allawi, a Shiite neurologist, has been a key figure in the country's transition to democracy and has survived attempts on his life orchestrated by former President Saddam Hussein. The US-backed Iraqi Governing Council named Allawi to head the interim government that will take over from the Coalition Provisional Authority on June 30. The government will rule until elections are held in 2005.

Key Takeaways:

  • Iyad Allawi, a Shiite neurologist, was named prime minister by the Iraqi Governing Council, marking a significant milestone in Iraq's transition to democracy.
  • Allawi has a strong background in politics, having founded the Iraqi National Accord, a group backed by US and British intelligence.
  • Lakhdar Brahimi, the UN envoy to Iraq, has a key role in setting up the interim government and has welcomed the decision to name Allawi.
  • The US has expressed support for Brahimi's efforts to form an interim government, stating that it is waiting for him to complete his work.
  • The establishment of a sovereign Iraqi government is a key objective of the US-British draft resolution on Iraq, which is currently being debated in the UN Security Council.
  • The resolution also supports the continued presence of multinational troops in Iraq to maintain security, but faces opposition from France, Germany, and China over issues such as a timetable for troop withdrawal.

Statistics:

  • The interim Iraqi government will take over from the Coalition Provisional Authority on June 30.
  • Elections are scheduled to be held in 2005.
  • The US and UK have estimated that the cost of maintaining a military presence in Iraq will be around $1.8 billion per month.
  • The US has deployed over 150,000 troops in Iraq to assist with security and stabilization efforts.
  • The UN Security Council has received several drafts of the resolution on Iraq, with the US and UK backing a proposal for a sovereign Iraqi government and a continued multinational military presence.

Sources:

  • UPI, KRISHNADEV CALAMUR, Washington, May 28
  • UN Press Release (no date)
  • US State Department Press Release (no date)
  • Iraq Business News (no date)

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