Trump gives his blessing to Iraq’s new pick for prime minister and invites al-Zaidi to Washington

U.S. President Donald Trump has called Iraq’s new prime minister-designate Ali al-Zaidi and invited him to visit Washington once he forms a government. The call on Thursday signaled American support for al-Zaidi who is a businessman and political newcomer. The U.S. Embassy in Baghdad extended best wishes to him on Wednesday. Iraq’s dominant parliamentary bloc nominated al-Zaidi on Monday. It rejected former Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki who was seen as too close to Iran. Al-Zaidi is chairman of...