Iraqi PM urges political blocs to help carrying out substantial reshuffle in his cabinet

Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi on Tuesday called on the parliament and the leading political blocs to help carrying out substantial reshuffle in his cabinet to confront the country's economic crisis due to the sharp decrease in oil prices in the world markets.

"The ministers of the current government have been chosen by the political blocs, but it is my responsibility and for the higher interest in order lead the country to safety, I call for substantial reshuffle to include professional, technocrat and academic personalities in the cabinet," Abadi said in his address to the Iraqi people broadcast on the state-run Iraqiya television.

Abadi said that his government has managed to avoid full economic collapse due to the sharp decline of oil prices during the past year and a half.

He also promised to carry out a new package of reforms based on a comprehensive study that would restructure the ministries, reassuring the people of Iraq that he has a "clear vision and detailed policy that would enable Iraq to pass the (economic) crisis."

Abadi pledged to fight corruption and activate the economy by using international and local expertise that would help the government in the next stage.

Last year Abadi launched several package of reforms after massive demonstrations in the Iraqi capital of Baghdad and several other cities in the south to protest against slack public services, power shortage, and massive corruption.

His reforms included abolishing the posts of vice president and deputy premier and cutting 11 of his cabinet posts, in addition to slashing the number of guards for senior officials.

Abadi's reform plan, first, gained popular support but with the passing of time the reforms fell short to convince many demonstrators who continued their protests and demanded that Abadi be more aggressive against the political parties that benefited from corruption and could reverse the reforms to their own good. Endit