Iraqi lawmakers to vote on proposed cabinet and program: state TV

Iraqi lawmakers were due to vote on Wednesday on prime minister-designate Adel Abdul Mahdi's proposed cabinet and programme, state television reported.

Abdul Mahdi opened the evening session by introducing his programme. The PM-designate is expected to nominate new heads for key ministries including the oil, defence, finance and interior ministries.

Thamer Ghadhban, a former top energy official in Iraq, was expected to be nominated as oil minister, according to two political sources.