Date : 30/07/2011
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)
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