Arrest warrants issued for ex-ministers

BAGHDAD, Oct. 11 (UPI) -- Iraq judicial authorities issued arrest warrants Tuesday for dozens former Iraqi officials, including ex-ministers, on charges of corruption and embezzlement.

The head of the Public Transparency Committee Ali Lami said 27 warrants were issued against officials who served under the government of former Prime Minister Ayad Allawi, including former Minister of Defense Hazem Shaalan and the ministers of Communications, Electricity, Labor and Housing.

The five ministers were accused of stealing and embezzling billions of dollars in fictitious deals and contracts.

Lami said the National Assembly met Monday night to lift immunity on Shaalan but failed to do so for lack of quorum.

He said the majority of the suspects against whom the arrest warrants have been issued "live outside the country, which necessitates that Iraq seeks the assistance of the Interpol to bring them to interrogation."