ERBIL, Kurdistan Region of Iraq - Iraq's ruling Shiite Coordination Framework on Monday announced discussing ways to accelerate the appointment of the country’s next prime minister, as the first parliamentary session approaches.

Leaders of the Framework met on Monday at the office of the Humam Hamoudi, head of the Islamic Supreme Council of Iraq, reviewing previous meetings and continuing negotiations on filling the top posts in Baghdad.

The meeting discussed “ways to expedite the appointment of the Prime Minister along with other electoral requirements, in accordance with constitutional procedures and the needs of the next phase,” according to a statement from the Shiite coalition.

The Framework shortlisted nine candidates for the next prime minister following the November elections, which included current Prime Minister Mohammed Shia’ al-Sudani, former premiers Nouri al-Maliki and Haider al-Abadi, National Security Advisor Qassim al-Araji, and intelligence chief Hamid al-Shatri.

Iraq’s new parliament is set to hold its first session on December 29.

The Framework also reiterated support for the government’s efforts to restrict weapons to the state.

It “reaffirmed its unwavering support for the state's monopoly on weapons,” asserting the move will “strengthen state sovereignty, preserve security and stability, and serve the country's best interests.”

Illegal weapons in Iraq stand out as one of the most pressing challenges to security and stability in Iraq. Unofficial data puts the number of arms within the Iraqi society at around 15 million pieces of medium and light weapons, with armed groups and tribes possessing the bulk of them.

The development comes amid intensified calls by Washington on Iraq to curb Iranian influence, pushing Baghdad to dissolve all armed factions, including the state-integrated Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF).

The Coordination Framework, an umbrella bloc of Shiite parties, was formed in 2022, mainly to challenge Muqatada al-Sadr’s attempts at forming a national majority government. The Framework nominated Sudani for prime minister in October 2022, following the withdrawal of Sadr from the political process, and has been the main power-holder in the Iraqi government since.