Turkmen Iraqis: Abadi going back on pledge to give us ministerial post

Turkmen MPs in the Iraqi parliament yesterday accused Prime Minister Haider Al-Abadi of going back on his pledge to assign a Turkman to one of the vacant ministries in the cabinet.

Speaking at a news conference, MP Hassan Turan said that Al-Abadi pledged to take into account the rights of all factions in the cabinet reshuffle which was voted on by parliament yesterday.

“We were surprised that the prime minister had reneged on his pledge, as names of candidates included no Turkmen, although we suggested many technocrat figures to fill one of the ministerial positions,” Turan said.