PM Cuts Security for Top Officials; 20,000 Redeployed

By John Lee.

In the latest move to curb corruption and streamline the government, Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi on Thursday ordered a reduction of up to 90 percent in the number of security personnel allocated to protecting top government officials.

More than 20,000 guards, costing an estimated 250 billion Iraqi dinars ($215 million) annually, will be redeployed to the Ministries of Defence and Interior, "to be trained and prepared to do their national duties in defense of the homeland and the protection of its citizens."

(Source: Office of the Prime Minister)