An Iraqi MP today doubted the return of officers in the former Iraqi army to service, attributing this to several reasons, including that their number is high, calling for the need for equality with the current officers in terms of actual salary and pensions.
The news comes as the Commander in Chief of the Armed Forces PM Nouri al-Maliki called for opening centers to receive former army officers who wish to return to serve in the current army as was the case in a number of provinces.

PM Maliki has allowed the return of former army officers to service in the provinces of Kirkuk, Nineveh, Salahaddin, Diyala and Anbar.

Member of the security and defense committee Hamid al-Mutlaq said: "The former Iraqi army officers contributed to defending the country and building a professional army, since its formation in 1921 and until it was disbanded by the occupation.

"The current army doesn't accommodate a large number of former officers. If we want to solve the dilemma then first we can improve their pensions, similar to the current officers and this is a professional, national and humanitarian duty."

The decision to return former officers was rejected by some political blocs, including the Kurdistan Blocs Coalition (KBC) and some parties of the National Alliance (NA) that demanded to make sure that they are not covered by the accountability and justice law before being returned to service.












AKnews