FILE PHOTO: Iraq's Oil Minister Adel Abdel Mehdi speaks during an interview with Reuters in Baghdad March 26, 2015. REUTERS/Ahmed Saad /File Photo

SULAIMANIYA, Iraq (Reuters) - Newly elected Iraqi President Barham Salih has named veteran Shi’ite politician Adel Abdul Mahdi as prime minister-designate and tasked him with forming a new government, two lawmakers told Reuters on Tuesday.

According to Iraq’s constitution, Abdul Mahdi now has 30 days to form a cabinet and present it to parliament for approval.

Salih named Abdul Mahdi less than two hours after he himself was elected president.