Support Councils do not replace parties – PM

Iraq-Deployment BAGHDAD / IraqiNews.com: The Iraqi Premier Nouri al-Maliki on Monday said that support councils will not replace parties, despite these councils being linked to the state, calling on them to cooperate with the central and provincial authorities, according to a release issued by al-Maliki’s office. “During his meeting today with a number of Bani Malik tribal chieftains, the premier stressed that support councils will not replace parties, but that they are linked to the state,” said the release that was received by IraqiNews.com. “He called on these councils not cooperate with the central government only, but with the provincial authorities as well,” it added. MH (P)/SR   1