Ammon News - Loud bangs heard on Saturday in the center 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.

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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.