Iraqi lawmakers have rejected the prime minister's nominees to fill the critical posts of defense and interior minister, extending the formation of a new government, The Dailystar reported.
Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi put forward Sunni lawmaker Jaber al-Jabberi as his candidate for defense minister, and Riyad Ghareeb, a Shiite lawmaker with the State of Law bloc, as his pick for interior minister.
Shortly after al-Abadi presented the names to parliament Tuesday, lawmakers rejected both of them in a vote. The legislature was then adjourned until Thursday.
Ahead of the vote, two lawmakers, Hussein al-Maliki and Mohammad Saadoun, told The Associated Press that the selection of Ghareeb met with some contention, mostly from the Shiite Badr Brigade.