Iraq's PM-designate says he has picked new cabinet

Iraq's Prime Minister-designate Mohammed Mohammed Tawfiq Allawi on Wednesday called on parliament to hold a confidence vote in his newly formed cabinet.

In a statement, Allawi urged the presidency and members of the House of Representatives to take part in a special voting session on Monday, Feb. 24.

Allawi said that despite low public trust in political authorities, a vote of confidence in his government could contribute to changing Iraq for the better.

He stressed that rejecting his proposed cabinet formation would mean supporting continued sectarianism and corruption in the country.

Iraq's parliament has 329 seats.