Al-Iraqiya Coalition denies nominating candidate for Defense Minister’s post

BAGHDAD / IraqiNews.com: Al-Iraqiya Coalition, led by Iraq ’s former Prime Minister Iyad Allawi, has said on Friday it had not nominated any candidate for the post of Defense Minister till now, according to its Official Spokeswoman, Maysoun Damalouji.   “Al-Iraqiya Coalition has not officially nominated anybody for the post of Defense Minister till now (Friday),” Damalouji told IraqiNews.com news agency, adding that “dialogue still continued with the friendly blocs and there are names that are being discussed.”   Press reports early Friday had stated that al-Iraqiya Coalition had met and sent a signed letter by its Leader, Iyad Allawi, nominating Jawad al-Bolani, the Legislature, who lost his Parliament’s membership in a decision by the Federal Court, for the post of Defense Minister.   Leaders of different Iraqi political blocs had met on 2/8/2011 and agreed to send a draft-law for the National Council for Strategic Policies (NCSP) to the Parliament for its promulgation, along with an agreement on the Defense and Interior Ministers posts, in order to settle this dossier.   SKH (IT)