Iraqi lawmaker calls for permanent interior, defense ministers

BAGHDAD, Iraq — A member of the Iraqi parliament's Security and Defense Committee has called for permanent ministers to be appointed to the Interior and Defense portfolios without delay. Ali Nuhayr al-Saray said in a written statement that the current period requires full-authority ministers in both ministries to accelerate decision-making and shield the military establishment from outside interference. Al-Saray said his call is not a challenge to the competence of the current security administration but a clarification of institutional responsibility. He argued that permanent ministers are needed to move forward pending files on armaments and equipment. The statement also called for strengthening air defense capacity and repairing Korean-made air defense systems that have been out of service for more than a year. Al-Saray said both ministries should be run by a strong and stable leadership to help resolve files that have accumulated in the interest of the state and the armed forces.