Iraq unrest prompts clear out of top positions

Iraqi prime minister Haider al-Abadi won the support of his cabinet yesterday to eliminate a layer of senior government positions, part of a push to reduce corruption and save money in the face of mounting unrest.

After weeks of protests demanding better government and a call by leading Shi’ite Muslim cleric Grand Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani for tougher action, Abadi proposed cancelling Iraq’s multiple vice president and deputy prime minister positions, currently shared out along sectarian lines.

Iraq has three vice presidents, two Shi’ites and a Sunni, and three deputy prime ministers, a Shi’ite, a Sunni and a Kurd. Critics say the set-up say hands high office to unqualified candidates and encourages corruption.