BAGHDAD — The US Department of State has achieved a major breakthrough in Iraq's attempt to assemble a cabinet, after brokering a deal in which Swedish home goods retailer IKEA was contracted to assemble it, according to sources.
Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi, who had been unable to assemble the cabinet himself, reportedly "breathed a heavy sigh of relief," after learning of the $800 million contract.
Ikea, infamous for its complex cabinet designs that require an immense amount of assembly with vague instructions, was brought in after al-Abadi and US advisers stayed up for two days straight trying to put together a cabinet themselves. US State Department spokesman John Kirby confirmed the arrangement and said he expects Ikea's assembly fee "will be worth it."
