Iraq’s National Coalition meets to discuss departure of U.S. forces

BAGHDAD / IraqiNews.com: Iraq ’s National Coalition is scheduled to meet, under chairmanship of Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki later on Sunday, to discuss the departure of the U.S. forces from the country, along with cutting short the number of cabinet ministers, according to the electronic position of al-Daawa Party, led by Maliki.   “All the components of the National Coalition shall meet today (Sunday), with the attendance of Prime Minister, Nouri al-Maliki, to discuss the withdrawal of the U.S. forces from Iraq at the end of the current year, according to the Security Agreement, signed by both countries,” the position noted.   It pointed out that the second issue, scheduled to be discussed in the meeting, was “the government’s evaluation after the end of the 100-day period, assigned by the Prime Minister, that ended this week, along with cutting short the number of cabinet ministers.”   Prime Minister Maliki had announced his wish to cut short the number of his cabinet seats, through merging some ministries together, saying that “a government of 46 cabinet posts, was not acceptable, pointing out that “in the event of negligence by any minister, under-secretary or director-general, to carry out his duty during the past 100-day period, assigned to evaluate the government’s achievements, I shall present a demand for the Parliament to sack him.”   The scheduled meeting will take place one day ahead of a meeting, called for by Iraqi President, Jalal Talabani, at his Presidency’s headquarters, to discuss the departure of the American forces from Iraq .   SKH (IT) 514