Iraqi lawmakers on Thursday elected Abdul Latif Rashid as the new president of Iraq, marking a crucial step toward forming a new government for the country, the parliament said.

Rashid received 162 votes out of 269 lawmakers who cast their ballots in the second round of voting, defeating Barham Salih, who gained 99 votes, while eight votes were considered invalid, according to the media office of the parliament.

The Parliament Speaker Mohammed al-Halbousi adjourned the session after Rashid was sworn in as the president of Iraq.