Iraq’s new government will be more important to the overall story of Iraq than yesterday’s news of Zarqawi termination.
The government announced the new Minister of Defense, Minister of Interior and Minister of State for National Security.
Quick bullets:
Minister of Defense Abdul Qadir Mohammed Jasim
- Graduate of Military College 1969 – worked in armored division until assuming post of Armored Division Commander
- Commander of armored brigade during Iran-Iraq war
- Opposed invasion of Kuwait in 1991, was stripped of all posts and responsibilities, was referred to retirement in 1992, arrested and tried by special court martial in 1994, sentenced to seven years imprisonment with all properties confiscated, personal house was returned after coalition toppling of regime in 2003
- Participated in the new Iraqi army as head of the ground forces
- Currently unaffiliated with any political party
Minister of Interior Jawad al-Bolani
- Born in Baghdad 1960 with family origins in Diwaniya
- Graduate of Mechanical Engineering Department at the University of Technology
- Worked as an Engineer in the Iraqi Air Force until 1999
- Acting member of the Governing Council
- Member of the water committee in previous parliament
- Not currently a member of any political party
Minister of State for National Security Shirwan al-Waili
- Born in Thi-Qar 1957
- Graduate of Military Engineering College 1979
- Worked in the Military Works Division in building military camps and other military construction mission. Did not participate in any military operations
- Was detained during the 1991 uprising
- Retired as Brig. Gen. in 2000
- Studied Law at Basra University
- Acting member of the Governing Council
- Served as an Advisor for regional affairs for the National Security Portfolio
- Served as member of the Constitutional Committee in the previous parliament
- Not currently a member of any political party
You can find more info about Iraqi’s key government members here.