Independent Shiite politician to take Iraqi PM's office

Iraq's new president is set to take office after tapping an independent Shiite lawmaker for the post of prime minister.

Barham Salih, a longtime Kurdish politician, will assume power in a formal handover ceremony on Wednesday, a day after being elected and sworn in by parliament. Under an unofficial agreement dating back to the 2003 US-led invasion, Iraq's presidency — a largely ceremonial role — is held by a Kurd, while the prime minister is Shiite and the parliament speaker is Sunni.

Salih has tasked Adel Abdul-Mahdi, a former vice president, with forming a government.

He has 30 days to submit his cabinet to parliament for approval.

No single party won an outright majority in national elections in May.

Two Shiite-led blocs claim to have majority support in the legislature.

(With inputs from agencies.)