TEHRAN -- Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maleki may announce the cabinet members earlier than the set date, the Iranian ambassador to Iraq Hassan Danaeefar has said.

The Iraqi political groups held a meeting on Sunday to discuss formation of a new government and reportedly gained major achievements in this regard, Danaeefar told the Mehr News Agency on Monday.
He also said it is predicted that Maleki would name cabinet members in the next few days which would be a week earlier than the date which was set last month.
On November 11, the Iraqi Parliament elected Osama al-Nujaifi as parliament speaker, reelected Jalal Talabani as president, and re-nominated Nouri al-Maliki as prime minister.
“We are awaiting the formation of government in Iraq and after the members of the cabinet are announced, the two countries’ plans to increase relations will enter a new phase,” he added