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On May 20, 2006, al-Maliki's first cabinet was officially sworn in, marking a significant milestone in the political transition of Iraq following the 2005 parliamentary elections. The cabinet formation process had been protracted and challenging due to ongoing sectarian tensions and the need to balance various political factions. Al-Maliki's government faced numerous challenges, including the ongoing insurgency, sectarian violence, and the daunting task of rebuilding the nation's infrastructure.