BAGHDAD, Dec. 27 (UPI) -- Iraqi leaders approved draft provisions for the creation of a strategic council commission in the new government, a spokesman said.
The new Iraqi government following a lengthy political standoff agreed to create a new National Council for Strategic Policies. Adnan al-Sarraj, a member of the ruling Shiite coalition in Iraq, told the Voices of Iraq news agency that his supporters had backed a draft law for the creation of the council.
"There is a reciprocal trust and intention among all to complete the process of the draft and present it to the Parliament," during the week, he was quoted as saying.
Iyad Allawi, a former interim prime minister and leader of the Sunni-backed Iraqiya slate, was mentioned as a possible leader of the new strategic council. Iraqiya won March parliamentary elections but failed to get enough support to form a governing coalition.
The strategic council as proposed would enjoy many of the same rights as the prime minister.
Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki last week received support for a partial Cabinet, bringing an end to the longest political stalemate in modern history.
Lawmakers, however, are squabbling over unfilled positions in the new Cabinet. Maliki, the news agency added, rejected Iraqiya's nominee for defense minister during negotiations Monday.
