In a ceremony, outgoing premier Haider al-Abadi formally handed over authority to the new prime minister.

Abdul-Mahdi was officially sworn in late Wednesday -- along with 14 members of his cabinet -- after winning a parliamentary vote of confidence, Anadolu reported.

In a statement issued Thursday, Abdul-Mahdi vowed that members of his incoming cabinet would work hard to implement his “ambitious and detailed” government program.

On Wednesday night, 14 of Abdul-Mahdi’s 22 cabinet nominees -- including those for the petroleum, finance, foreign affairs and labor portfolios -- were granted confidence by lawmakers.

Parliament is set to convene again on November 6 when MPs will vote on the prime minister’s eight remaining nominees.

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