Kurds insist on holding National Security Ministry

Erbil, Dec. 29 (AKenws) - Iraqi political parties have agreed to share the three security-related ministries, a Kurdish MP says, and one of which will be given to a Kurd. Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki's government, approved by Parliament on Dec. 21, is formed of 42 ministries nine of which still unassigned due to political competitions including the ministries of the interior, defense and national security. The political blocs have agreed that the candidates to the security ministries have to be "neutral" and "qualified" Mohsen Sadoun of the Kurdish Blocs Coalition (KBC) says he is sure that the ministry of the National Security will be held by a Kurd. "According to the political agreements between the Iraqi political actors, the ministry of the interior will go to the National Coalition (NC led by Maliki), the defense for the al-Iraqiya, and the Kurds are demanding the national security ministry" said Sadoun. "being the third largest bloc in the Iraqi parliament, a security portfolios has to be given to the Kurds in the power sharing deals between the al-Iraqiya and NC" he said, "We want the ministry of the national security" he said. Another Kurdish MP Najmaddin Karim says political agreement is required for any ministerial post. And "Kurds, like Shia and Sunni Arabs have to have their share in the security ministries" "I am sure that the political actors will reach agreement to give the Kurds one of the three ministries" Kurds have seven ministries in the new government most notably the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade Ministry, in addition to the presidency, first deputy Prime Minster and second deputy parliament speaker. reported by Hevidar Ahmed Ry/AKnews Wednesday, December 29th 2010 10:21 AM