Iraq: PM offers to Parliament key security ministries

Iraq: PM offers to Parliament key security ministries

Since May 20, when his cabinet was sworn in, Al-Maliki has been unable to break a stalemate over the posts. The candidates include a Sunni Arab for the defense ministry and Shiites for the ministries of interior and national security.

The posts are considered crucial for al-Maliki's government to implement a plan allowing Iraqi forces to take over security for the country from the U.S.-led coalition within 18 months, the AP reports.