Abadi to bring in ‘technocrats’ in cabinet reshuffle

Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi says he would carry out a sweeping reshuffle of his cabinet to enhance the country’s ailing economy and help fight corruption.

“Out of my responsibility ... to lead the country to safety, I call for a radical cabinet reshuffle to include professionals, technocrats and academics,” Abadi said in a televised speech on Tuesday.

According to Press TV, during his speech which focused largely on economic challenges facing the oil-rich country, Abadi said the reshuffle would replace ministers chosen by political blocs and approved by parliament in accordance with the constitution.

The Iraqi premier called on the parliament “and all the political blocs to cooperate with us in this serious stage.”

He gave no details about the timing of the changes in the administration or what positions would be affected, but said he would soon take decisions, including ones related to countering corruption.

Earlier last month, Abadi pledged to stamp out corruption in 2016, following a criticism by Iraq’s senior Shia cleric Grand Ayatollah Seyyed Ali al-Sistani, who said his government has done little to combat graft.

“2016 is the year of eliminating corruption, there is no such things as acceptable corruption and non-acceptable corruption,” Abadi said.

ME