Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani issued a decree that sends his successor, Mustafa al-Kadhimi, to retirement.
The decree also applies to ministers in Kadhimi’s government.
The measure is routine in Iraq after any change in government or parliament.
Meanwhile, Sudani decided that he will directly oversee the country’s main security apparatuses: the national intelligence and national security agencies.
Observers told Asharq Al-Awsat that the PM’s move will avert any sharp dispute over the agencies between various rival political parties in the future.
Sudani had last week visited the headquarters of the two agencies and met with their top officials.
He stressed to them the importance of their commitment to the constitution and regulations at the agencies to achieve national security and interests.
Former aide at the Defense Ministry Maan al-Jabbouri told Asharq Al-Awsat that Sudani comes from a civilian background and he had assumed civilian positions throughout his career.
He remarked that his overseeing of the two agencies may be a “good thing in the short-term, but he may not be able to retain this role in the long one.”
Security expert Fadel Abou Ragheef told Asharq Al-Awsat that Sudani’s move aims to avoid political disputes over these security agencies, describing it as a “step in the right direction.”
Sudani has managed to complete his 21-minister cabinet lineup, nearly a month since his designation, in spite of lingering disputes between Kurdish parties over some portfolios.
