BAGHDAD, July 30 (KUNA) -- The Iraqi parliament agreed Saturday to cancel some ministries, part of Prime Minister Nouri Al-Maliki's plans to trim the number of his cabinet.
During the open-door session, the majority of lawmakers agreed to scrap all ministries of state in Al-Maliki's government with exception of three of them: Ministry of state for woman affairs, Ministry of state for Governorates and Ministry of state for parliament.
Al-Maliki, in a speech before the vote took place, said the parliament has two choices, either to cancel all ministries of state or some of them.
He said trimming the portfolios was a public and political demand.
Part of the reforms, said Al-Maliki, would be scrapping "some unnecessary formations foremost canceling the ministries of state and reconsidering the senior management, as well as continue the support of anti-corruption measures and tabling draft laws to merge ministries with similar specialties." Al-Maliki's plan is to trip his 43-member cabinet to 30 only over two phases. (end) ahh.bs KUNA 302057 Jul 11NNNN