Loud bangs heard on Saturday in the centre of Baghdad were artillery being fired to celebrate the formation of the new government, a security source told AFP.The three blasts, heard by an AFP reporter, marked the establishment of a government under newly selected Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi.
Following the first bangs, a security spokesperson warned that there would be more artillery fire to celebrate Zaidi's assumption of office.
Iraqi lawmakers approved a new government on Thursday led by Zaidi, who took office after months of deadlock and mounting US pressure.
Zaidi's government should include 23 ministers, but its line-up remains incomplete as key political parties continue to negotiate several portfolios.
Iraq has long walked a tightrope between the competing influences of its allies, neighbouring Iran and the United States.
From the outset, Iraq was drawn into the Middle East war, ignited by a joint Israeli-US attack on Iran on February 28.
During the war, explosions were frequently heard in Baghdad, largely caused by drone and rocket attacks launched by Tehran-backed groups on the US embassy in the fortified Green Zone.
