ERBIL, Kurdistan Region of Iraq – Iraq’s Sunni National Political Council on Sunday submitted the names of its nominees for ministerial positions to Prime Minister designate Ali al-Zaidi ahead of a parliamentary vote on the new cabinet set to take place in the coming days.

The meeting was held at the Baghdad residence of Sovereignty Alliance leader Khamis al-Khanjar, attended by Parliament Speaker Haibat al-Halbousi and other party leaders within the National Political Council.

Following the meeting, the Sunni coalition announced that it had submitted the names of its nominees for ministerial positions to the recently designated premier, coming ahead of a vote of condifence on Zaidi's program for government and cabinet choices expected to be held on Monday or Tuesday.

Circulating reports suggest that the Sunni political forces are set to retain six ministries in the country’s upcoming government, including the ministries of higher education, defense, and commerce.

The council also expressed its “categorical rejection” of any interference by political entities or parties outside the bloc in the appointment of ministers, reiterating its right to “manage its internal affairs according to the frameworks agreed upon by its political forces.”

Modeled after the Shiite Coordination Framework, the National Political Council is an umbrella group of Sunni parties, announced in late November by Sunni leaders from Taqaddum, the Azm Alliance, the Sovereignty Alliance, Hasm al-Watani, and the National Masses Party.

Nominated by the ruling Shiite Coordination Framework on April 27, Zaidi must present a cabinet to parliament within 30 days of his designation.

Talks are ongoing with the Sunni and Kurdish political forces regarding the nomination of their respective candidates for the governmental positions in order to finalize the cabinet formation.

Zaidi visited Erbil days prior and held talks regarding ongoing efforts to form the upcoming government with Kurdish leadership, marking Zaidi’s first official trip to the Kurdistan Region.