Trimming will cover all small entities – ethnic groups, Premier Maliki

BAGHDAD / IraqiNews.com: Premier Nouri al-Maliki announced today that trimming the government will include the smaller components within the bigger ones, in addition to ethnic groups, without depriving them from participating in governmental responsibilities, pointing out that he will entrust the post of ministry of defence to present culture minister, as acting minister, if no agreement reached on the nominated persons for such posts. In a press conference, following parliamentary session on trimming the government, he pointed the mechanism for the smaller and ethnic entities in a manner that will deprive them from their rights. Iraqi parliament voted today for canceling all ministries of state, except for three, women, provinces and parliament affairs. The governmental programme was discussed. The number of the ministries shall reach 29 at maximum, while the present figure reached to 43 ministries. Maliki added that there is a plan to establish State Consultants Authority that will extend their expertise in different fields. 519