Al Arabiya TV, 9 August 2015:
Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi decided to abolish the posts of vice presidents and deputy prime ministers. Haider al-Abadi also ordered past and present corruption files to be opened.
Sky News TV, 9 August 2015:
Iraqi Prime Minister announced all vice president and deputy prime minister posts eliminated.
Bloomberg Nes Agency, 9 August 2015:
Iraqi Prime Minister Haidar Al-Abadi abolished top government positions and vowed to crack down on graft after thousands protested against corruption.
Abadi, in a decree announced on Facebook and Twitter Sunday, said the positions of vice presidents and deputy prime minister will be abolished with immediate effect. He said “past and present corruption files will be opened” under the supervision of an anti-graft commission.
The number of bodyguards for government officials will be also reduced, he said.
AFP, August 9, 2015: Iraq PM calls for sweeping reforms in response to protests
Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi called Sunday for sweeping reforms, including abolishing the post of his rival Nuri al-Maliki, in response to weeks of demonstrations against corruption and poor services.
The proposed reforms, at least some of which require the approval of the cabinet and parliament, followed a call for tough measures by Iraq’s top Shiite cleric, Grand Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani.
