Returning Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki has met his constitutional deadline to form a government. Ongoing internal disputes threatened to delay the formation of a new cabinet, but Maliki submitted his list of nominations on 20 December.

Forty-two names have been submitted, but 10 posts have been filled by acting ministers. Former Iraq communications minister Mohammed Tawfik Allawi has been reappointed to his old post. The news is likely to please many in the industry who feel that Allawi is best placed to drive Baghdad’s ambitious telecommunications plans forward.

Maliki was reappointed as Prime Minister on 10 November 2010 after a record-breaking political stalemate. He was given a 30-day deadline to form a government on 25 November 2010.

Each of the Prime Minister’s choices has to be approved by Parliament.