Pompeo says US to support new Iraqi PM if he upholds key principles

Adnan al-Zurfi said that he will make sure to prepare free, fair, transparent elections within a maximum period of one year from forming the next government.

An Iraqi university student covers her face with Iraqi flag as she protests to express her rejection of the newly appointed Prime Minister of Iraq, Mohammed Tawfiq Allawi, during ongoing anti-government protests in Baghdad (photo credit: REUTERS)
An Iraqi university student covers her face with Iraqi flag as she protests to express her rejection of the newly appointed Prime Minister of Iraq, Mohammed Tawfiq Allawi, during ongoing anti-government protests in Baghdad
(photo credit: REUTERS)
US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said on Tuesday that Iraq's newly designated Prime Minister Adnan al-Zurfi will have the support of Washington and the international community if he would uphold Iraq's sovereignty, to be corruption-free and protective of human rights among others.
Iraq's president named little-known former regional governor Adnan al-Zurfi as prime minister-designate on Tuesday in another bid to overcome months of unrest and deadlock, but powerful Shi'ite blocs quickly lined up to reject his nomination.
Adnan al-Zurfi said in a statement released on state news agency (INA) late on Tuesday that he will make sure to prepare free, fair, transparent elections within a maximum period of one year from forming the next government.
Al-Zurfi also said he will work to confine arms to the hands of the state, eliminate all armed manifestations, and enforce state authority, INA reported.