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Iraq Moves to Dissolve National Security Council | ASHARQ AL-AWSAT English Archive 2005 -2017
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BAGHDAD (AFP) – The Iraqi government approved draft legislation on Wednesday that would dissolve the National Security Council, a body formed by the US-led coalition after its invasion more than six years ago.

“The cabinet agreed on a draft law to cancel CPA Order 68 which established this national advisory body and transfer its duties, rights and responsibilities to the cabinet secretary,” a cabinet statement said.

Headed by US diplomat Paul Bremer, the Coalition Provisional Authority, governed Iraq in the first year after the 2003 invasion and set up the NSC in April 2004.

Government spokesman Ali al-Dabbagh said the cabinet had decided to form a ministerial committee for national security to replace the council.

The bill will now be submitted to parliament where officials said they expected it to receive MPs’ assent.

The council is currently headed by Mowaffak al-Rubaie, a Shiite doctor who led negotiations with Washington over a landmark security pact signed in November that requires all US troops to withdraw from Iraq by the end of 2011.

Rubaie has a five-year term in his position as national security adviser and cannot be removed except in case of abuse of authority or bribery.