ERBIL, Kurdistan Region of Iraq - Kurdistan Region leaders on Thursday congratulated Iraq’s new Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi on gaining the parliament’s confidence vote on his cabinet, expressing their hope that the new government will prove a cooperative partner in enhancing Erbil-Baghdad relations.

The session saw 14 ministers be confirmed in their role, while the ministers of defense, interior, culture, and others failed to be appointed.

Kurdistan Region Prime Minister Masrour Barzani congratulated Zaidi on winning the confidence of the parliament for his cabinet, expressing hope that the new government will improve relations between Baghdad and Erbil.

"I hope this will be the beginning of a new phase of stability and peace in Iraq, the resolution of all issues, the implementation of the Constitution, and improved relations between the Kurdistan Region and the federal government," he wrote on X.

Writing in Arabic, Kurdish, and English, Zaidi thanked lawmakers for voting in favor of his program for government, calling it "a step that reflects the priority of the national interest and the spirit of partnership and responsibility."

Kurdistan Region President Nechirvan Barzani, who was present at the session, said he was "pleased to participate” and also congratulated Zaidi on his new cabinet.

"On this occasion, we extend our warmest congratulations and best wishes to His Excellency and his government, hoping for their success in fulfilling their duties and responsibilities in a way that serves all Iraqis from all backgrounds and achieves their aspirations for greater security, stability, progress, and prosperity," Barzani wrote on X.

Kurdish politicians secured three ministerial portfolios on Thursday: Fuad Hussein of the Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP) retained his role as Iraqi foreign minister, incumbent Justice Minister Khalid Shwani of the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK) similarly retained his position, and Srwa Abdulwahid of the New Generation Movement (NGM) was appointed as enviroment minister on a PUK ticket amid an alliance between the two parties.

However, the Ministry of Construction, Housing, and Municipalities, currently held by the KDP's Bangin Rekani and expected to be held onto by the party, did not see a candidate assigned despite Rewaz Hamlan having been nominated by the KDP.

KDP parliamentary bloc head Shakhawan Abdullah told reporters after the session that Parliament Speaker Haibat al-Halbousi "has lost impartiality," asserting that voting on certain ministerial nominations was delayed on on purpose.

Voting for the outstanding ministries is expected to continue in another parliamentary sitting after Eid al-Adha, which is expected to fall in late March in Iraq this year as disputes broke out amongst lawmakers when it came to voting on the interior and planning ministers, with some legislators demanding a recount after a majority-backed nominee failed to emerge.