Iraq’s Prime Minister to attend Parliament’s session to discuss Cabinet’s trimming

BAGHDAD / IraqiNews.com: Iraq ’s Prime Minister, Nouri al-Maliki, has decided to attend the Parliament’s session on Saturday, scheduled to discuss his government’s trimming and its program, the Parliament’s Rapporteur and al-Iraqiya Coalition’s Legislature, Mohammed al-Khalidy reported.   “The Parliament’s session today (Saturday) is scheduled to discuss the Cabinet’s trimming, presented by Prime Minister, Nouri al-Maliki, to the Parliament, along with his government’s program,” Khalidy told IraqiNews.com news agency, adding that Maliki had informed the Parliament that he would attend the session, to discuss the said issues.   Prime Minister, Nouri al-Maliki, had sent a demand to the Parliament, proposing the trimming down of his Cabinet from 43 to 29 ministries.   Commenting on reports that the Leader of al-Iraqiya Coalition, Iyad Allawi, would attend the said Parliament’s session on Saturday, Khalidy denied those reports, saying “that Allawi is in Arbil now.”   A number of al-Iraqiya Coalition had stated to the media recently that Iyad Allawi would attend the Parliament’s session on Saturday, during which Prime Minister, Nouri al-Maliki, would be present.   SKH (IT)   289